The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has commended the efforts of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and former Governor Abdulaziz Yari for their continued support, which the party said has led to a wave of defections from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the APC said the backing and motivation provided by the two party leaders have continued to attract PDP members, including elected officials, into the opposition party.
According to the statement, Hon. Maharazu Faru, the PDP lawmaker representing Maradun II State Constituency in the Zamfara House of Assembly, officially defected to the APC on Tuesday at a ceremony held at the party’s secretariat in Gusau.
The event, which drew a large crowd of supporters, was chaired by the state APC chairman, Tukur Danfulani.
Also joining the party were five ward chairmen from Faru/Magami, Gidan Goga, Tsibiri, and Kaya Wards, as well as party stalwarts Shingi Dan-Abu, Janbako, and Alhaji Salisu Dodo Faru, alongside hundreds of their supporters.
Speaking at the event, Faru said his decision to leave the PDP was due to Governor Dauda Lawal’s alleged failure to fulfil his campaign promises, particularly regarding insecurity.
He accused the PDP-led administration of neglecting his constituency and marginalising its members, adding that his defection was in pursuit of better representation and alignment with leaders committed to grassroots development.
“For these reasons, I decided to join Matawalle and Abdulaziz Yari, together with all the party executives in my constituency as well as my supporters,” Faru stated.
The APC described the development as a major boost ahead of future elections, noting that the growing influx of defectors from the PDP reflects renewed confidence in the party’s leadership and vision for Zamfara State.