FROM SAMSON ALFA, MINNA
Niger State political atmosphere in the last two months is gradually drifting from its usual glamour, following what has been trending in the state as no week passes without witnessing members of other political parties, like the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; Social Democratic Party, SDP; Labour Party, LP, and All Progressives Congress,
APC, defecting to African Democratic Congress, ADC in support of Dr. M.K. Kpautagi, its governorship hopeful for the 2027 general elections.
It has been a major realignment for the past two months since Kpautagi indicated his interest to vie for the Governorship position of Niger State. Prominent leaders and critical stakeholders from the major political parties have since been crossing to the ADC.
At the recent mass defectiond in Ebbo community, Lapai Local Government Area, political stakeholders unanimously agreed to give their support to Kpautagi, citing this as their reason for deflection.
They lamented the activities of the ruling APC are undermining the ethics of democracy, citing irregularities in the last local government elections.
The leader of the defectors, Alhaji Abdul Hameed Egigogo, was of the opinion that the mass defection is a major boost for ADC, to enhance rapid growth of the movement across the state.
“This is the time that the people of Niger State and Nigerians have to brace up and stand firm to embrace ADC to free themselves from the economic quagmire”, he declared.
The leaders, alongside a large crowd of supporters, declared that ADC under Kpautagi has become the true vehicle for change, unity, and people-oriented leadership in the state.
They emphasised that the era of recycled leadership and failed promises is coming to an end, adding that Niger State deserves a competent, compassionate, and visionary governor, like Kpautagi.
It will be recalled that last Saturday, a group of women from Chanchaga local government area converged at Kpautagi’s residence in Minna, the state capital, persuading the aspirant to contest as governor of Niger State.
Kpautagi is a retired civil servant, and former Director of the Federal Capital Territory FCT. He contested during 2023 Governorship primary elections along with the current Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, and the incumbent governor Umar Bago on the platform of the APC.
