Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, the immediate past Secretary to the Katsina State Government, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
Inuwa, who lost in his bid to secure the APC governorship ticket, announced his defection to the PDP on Sunday in Katsina while addressing his supporters.
He explained that the decision was taken after a series of consultations with his supporters across the state.
Inuwa, who served as SSG in Gov. Aminu Masari’s administration from 2015 till the governorship primary in May 2022, claimed that he has been sidelined in all APC activities in the state.
He said:“If you could remember, during the APC governorship primary election in the state, we know all that happened at that time, and at the end a winner was declared.
“We accepted defeat and we promised to support the party’s candidate, after which he visited me and I assured him all the necessary support.
“But unfortunately, since then, I have never been contacted for any function related to the progress of the party in Katsina State, thereby sidelining us from the party.
“This is a clear indication that we are not respected as bonafide members of APC while some people went on saying that they can win elections even without us.
“With this development in the party, we cannot continue in this situation. Therefore, myself and all my supporters in the state resolved to leave the party and support the PDP.”
Inuwa has instructed all his supporters across the state to register with the PDP and handed over his campaign offices to the party.
Meanwhile, an APC stalwart in the state, Alhaji Shafi’u Abd-Duwab, says the defection of Mustapha Inuwa from the party to the PDP is a betrayal.
Abdu-Duwab, who is also the state’s welfare Secretary of the APC, said this while briefing newsmen on Sunday in Katsina.
He explained that the decision to dump APC by Inuwa was an indication that he did not believe in God’s doing.
Abd-Duwab said: “I think his earlier prayers and statement to accept defeat were not deeply from his heart. He is among the people that Governor Bello Masari has given the opportunities that no one was given.
“He should have the faith that no matter how desperate he is to become the governor, if God did not allow it, no one can make it possible.
“Therefore, he is not supposed to betray the party and Masari after all the favour they have done to him and others.
“We are not happy about his defection, but I believe his decision will not reduce APC’s fortunes. I have the hope and confidence that we are going to win elections.” (NAN)
