By IBRAHIM KANOMA, Gusau
The Shettiman Sokoto and Governor of Zamfara State, North West Nigeria, Hon. Mohammed Bello Matawalle, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate, who emerged as Governor after the Supreme Court voided electoral victory of All Progressives Congress in the state at the 2019 elections, has finally joined the All Progressives (APC).
Bello, who is Matawallen Maradun Zamfara State, was ushered into the governing APC in an elaborate ceremony held in Gusau on Tuesday 29 June, 2021 few days after The DEFENDER had reported that the governor’s quit from PDP would happen on this day.
By his defection yesterday, after several weeks of rumours, Zamfara State is now back to its place as a progressive society.
Presenting the flag of APC to the governor, the National Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the party, who is also the governor of Yobe State, Malam Mai Mala Buni, said “APC is a party for all Nigerians and is doing its best to develop the country”.
Governor Buni said further that all the three Senators, six Members of the House of Representatives and all the 24 state House of Assembly members in the state have all decamped to APC along with the governor.
He announced the dissolution of all party structures in the state, while commending the foresight of Governor Bello Matawalle for joining APC.
In his remarks at the occasion, Governor Bello Matawalle pledged to carry all APC members along without any discrimination and expressed happiness with the national headquarters of the party, promising to work for the success of APC at all levels.
Also speaking at event, former Governor Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar pledged to work with Governor Bello Matawalle for the progress of the party.
Some of the dignitaries, who attended the august event, included Governor of Kebbi State and Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Governor of Plateau State, Sir Simon Lalong, Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Aminu Bello Masari, and Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar.
Other dignitaries that also graced the defection ceremony of the Shettiman Sokoto included among others; Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Amara Zulum, Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasiru El-Rufai, Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Sani Bello, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, former Governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, and former Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Ahmed Sani Yariman Bakura.
Other photos from the event:
