TheCable

Eighteen out of the 30 members of the Sokoto state house of assembly on Wednesday defected from the All Progressive Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Salihu Maidaji, speaker of the assembly, announced this hour after news broke that Aminu Tambuwal, the governor, had returned to the PDP.

Maidaji is among the 18 members who pulled out of the APC.

Maidaji said: “We the undersigned 18 members of the Sokoto state house of assembly belong and identify with the faction of the APC-led by one of its founders, Alhaji Buba Galadima.

“We are aware that all efforts to bring sanity into the APC and unite the different groups, camps and faction have proved abortive.

“This after several attempts and efforts and the election is around the corner and we stand in danger if we remained in a party that is divided against itself.

“As such in accordance with the letters and spirit section 109 (1) (g) of the constitution as amended hereby defect to PDP forthwith.”

The remaining 12 APC members wished their colleagues well in their new party.

Alhaji Sani Yakubu (APC-Gudu), who spoke on their behalf, said the 12 members would continue to remain committed and loyal to the APC-led government under President Muhammadu Buhari.