President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, on his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a message delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, at the defection ceremony in Gusau on Tuesday, President Buhari said Matawalle defected voluntarily.
This contradicts the claim by the national chairman of the PDP, who alleged that governors in its fold were being coaxed into joining the ruling party.
“I’m proud of your timely and wise decision to join the governing party and our doors are wide open to other politicians who believe in our vision to rebuild Nigeria,” Buhari said.
“Your voluntary decision to join our party confirms the fact that our agenda for good governance is the only reason why Nigerians are getting attracted to the APC because the other alternative didn’t work.”
The President used the occasion to urge APC Governors and elected lawmakers across the country “to continue to work harder to ensure our party maintains its popularity and retains power beyond 2023.”
He reminded all elected party officials of the fact that “your performance at all levels will impact significantly on the fortunes of the party”, adding that “party leaders should avoid complacency at all times to build the APC from strength to strength.”
