Shekarau’s defection to PDP fixed for Monday

Ibrahim Shekarau, former governor of Kano state, is expected to make his defection to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) official on Monday.

Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate, and other leading members of the party are in Kano to welcome Shekarau into the party.

An official of the PDP who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Atiku will be in the state for three days to woo other opposition parties’ members.

The official said chieftains of the party had a private meeting with Shekarau on Sunday to perfect his defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

 “As I’m talking to you now, we met Shekarau at his residence and we are busy arranging his defection along with his supporters into PDP. We perfected all the arrangements,” the source said.

“Our party officials are fully engaged to ensure successful hosting of our presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and the national chairman of the party Dr Iyorchia Ayu.

“Atiku will stay in Kano for three days to articulate and woo many opposition members into the PDP. I am confident that the party will win the 2023 general election.

“Atiku will meet with various groups of Islamic scholars, youth groups and other important groups in order to persuade them to vote for him to win the 2023 election.”

Until 2018, Shekarau was a member of the PDP, with his exit stemming from the internal rift in the Kano chapter of the party.

He joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2019 and went on to contest the Kano central senatorial election on the party’s platform.

A few months ago, he dumped the ruling party for the NNPP following his rift with Abdullahi Ganduje, governor of Kano.

But just last week, Shekarau said he was done with the NNPP, alleging that Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential candidate, betrayed the agreement made with him before joining the party.