Former Chairman of the main opposition party, Peoples Democratic Party and member representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency of Katsina State, Salisu Majigiri, has formally picked a membership card of the ruling All Progressives Congress after his official defection recently.
Majigiri, a former longest-serving Katsina PDP Chairman and Chief of Staff to former Governor Ibrahim Shema, received his APC membership card on Sunday at his polling unit in Majigiri electoral ward, Mashi local government area of the State.
Addressing his supporters shortly after receiving his membership card, the lawmaker said the PDP was suffering from a self-inflicted protracted leadership illness, hence his decision to leave the party.
He explained that his former party has been writhing in a leadership crisis with numerous litigations at the national and state levels after the 2023 presidential primary and making it impossible for him to adequately represent his constituents.
Majigiri, who was particular with Katsina, said the party could not even participate in the local government election because of irreconcilable differences that had bedevilled it and a lack of coherent leadership orchestrated by some “self-interested individuals” within the party.
He said, “PDP is suffering from protracted leadership illness both at the national and state levels since the 2023 presidential primary of the party. So, if there is no leadership, what can you do for your people?
“It is important to put the interest of our people first, not our individual and personal interests. We need development, progress and better well-being of our people. So, I should join a party that is focused on direction and united.
“APC is not in court but look at our opposition parties. Most of them are in court. So, to ensure better leadership for my people, it is better for me to join APC so that I can give my contribution to the development of my constituency, Katsina state and Nigeria in general.”
Majigiri further said, the state governor, Dikko Umar Radda’s pragmatic leadership style and development strides, especially in health, education, agriculture, work, empowerment and other sectors, also contributed significantly to his defection to the ruling APC.
“The governor has demonstrated courage and decisiveness through bold policies and programmes which are gradually transforming Katsina into a leading global economy and agriculture hub that will be beneficial to all in the near future.
“I need to support Governor Dikko Umar Radda and his administration so that he can succeed and make Katsina great and greater again,” he noted.
He, however, dismissed speculations that his defection to the ruling APC was because of his 2027 ticket.
He described the claims as unfounded, untrue and the imagination of those who don’t know his political and leadership strength in the state.
“I decamped to APC because of good leadership and the future of the people I am representing. It is not about any promise. It is not about my 2027 ticket,” the federal lawmaker added.
Earlier, the State APC Vice Chairman, Bala Abu-Musawa, described Majigiri as an indelible politician who contributed enormously to the development and sustainability of the political landscape of Katsina State.
He stated that although the member representing Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency was a stumbling block for APC while in PDP, his return to the ruling party “is a big relief to us as a party and will reshape politics in Mashi and Dutsi Local Governments”.
