PDP In Last-Minute Push To Stop Three Senators’ Defection To APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kebbi State is in a race against time to prevent the defection of three of its sitting senators to the All Progressives Congress (APC). DAILY POST has learned that the senators—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—are expected to formally announce their defection to the ruling party on Tuesday.

The move comes on the heels of a high-profile meeting held Friday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, facilitated by APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje. The senators were accompanied by a significant number of PDP supporters and current and former party officials from across the three senatorial zones in Kebbi State.

The development has caused panic within the PDP’s state leadership, with the party’s chairman, Usman Bello-Suru, summoning an emergency meeting of stakeholders Friday night. According to a party source, discussions centered on possible strategies to stop the defections, including legal action and personal appeals to the senators.

“Several options were explored, including legal steps, but it was agreed that the best approach would be to convince them to remain in the PDP and continue building what they’ve helped to establish over the years,” the source revealed.

Efforts to reach the senators have so far been unsuccessful, as they have reportedly stopped responding to calls from the party chairman since news of their defection surfaced.

This crisis contradicts recent statements made by Bello-Suru, who had publicly dismissed defection rumors, assuring PDP members that the party remained united and strong.

The potential defection of Senator Aliero, a seasoned politician, former FCT Minister, and two-term governor of Kebbi State, has particularly shaken the PDP’s base. Known for his history of party switches, Aliero’s move may significantly shift the political balance in the state.