Representative of Kano Central in the senate and former governor of Kano State, Mr. Ibrahim Shekarau on Monday decamped from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Recall that Shekarau had in 2014 decamped from the All Progressives Congress (APC) which he co-founded for the PDP in protest against the handover of the party’s (APC) structure to then governor of Kano State, Mr. Musa Kwankwaso who had defected from the PDP to the APC.
But in the lead up to the 2019 general election, Shekarau dumped the PDP and returned to the APC in 2018 following the dissolution of the state executive committee of the PDP and the setting up of a caretaker committee by the party (PDP).
He joined the NNPP in May 2022 after defecting from the APC on which platform he won the senatorial seat.
He announced in Kano on Monday that he had dumped the senatorial ticket of the NNPP and returned to the PDP.
Shekarau was received into the PDP fold at his Mandubawa home by the presidential candidate of PDP, Mr. Atiku Abubakar.
He said his action was action was predicated to restore justice and fairness in Nigeria.
Shekarau also pledged to mobilise his supporters across the country to guarantee Atiku’s victory at the polls in 2023.
“I welcome our dignitaries to this memorable occasion, particularly the PDP presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Vice-President Namadi Sambo, the PDP National Chairman, PDP governors, and other guests.
“I, Ibrahim Shekarau, inform you that from Monday, Aug. 29, 2022, my supporters and I have dumped the NNPP and joined the PDP.
“I have written to the NNPP national chairman, chairmen at the state, local governments, and ward levels of the party that I have dumped the NNPP.
“I have equally written to INEC Chairman and to the Kano State Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC that I am no longer contesting the senatorial position on the platform of the NNPP,’’ he said.
Shekarau urged his supporters to work for the PDP to ensure that it emerged victorious at the 2023 general elections.
He was consequently registered as a PDP card-carrying member by the party’s northwest vice chairman, Mr. Bello Hayatu-Gwarzo.
The party’s national chairman, Dr Iyochia Ayu, presented a membership card to Shekarau at the occasion.
In his remarks, Ayu said the PDP was built by leaders collectively, saying “there will never be an individual leader in the party.’’
He said the party is proud of Kano State, more especially now that Shekarau has joined the party.
Also speaking at the occasion, Atiku commended the Kano chapter of the party for gracing the occasion in spite of the downpour.
He said the turnout showed Shekarau’s prominence in politics of Kano.
“We are happy for having you (Shekarau) in the party; you are very important to us likewise Kano State,’’ he declared.
