Gusau, Zamfara State (Nigeria): The Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, has formally received Alhaji Bashir Imad—a prominent PDP chieftain and former ADC governorship candidate—into the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant political shift ahead of the 2027 elections.
This is contained in a statement issued in Gusau on Monday by the State APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris.
IMAD, once a major campaign sponsor for the PDP in Zamfara, cited poor leadership and unfulfilled promises as reasons for his defection, pledging to bring hundreds of followers with him into the APC fold.
Idris said, “The Zamfara chapter of the APC is again delighted to announce the coming into the party by one of Gov. Dauda Lawal’s major campaign sponsors, Alhaji Bashir IMAD, the MD/CEO of IMAD Petroleum Nigeria Ltd.
“IMAD personally met the former Governor and Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle, in Abuja to announce his defection from the PDP.”
He cited the lack of focus and poor leadership, which are essential for delivering lasting dividends of democracy, as primary reasons for his decision to part ways with the PDP.
IMAD promised to move into the A)C along with hundreds of his PDP card-carrying followers.
He also admitted that the PDP in Zamfara had already failed the citizens, considering the non-fulfilment of various campaign promises and the lack of leadership qualities in handling the state’s affairs.
IMAD further said that he learnt about the visit of the Minister to Zamfara, adding,” that is why I decided to come and join APC before his visit so that he can be acknowledged as an APC card-carrying member before the day.
He explained that many PDP bigwigs would also join the APC.
The former PDP chieftain stated that the APC leadership in Zamfara, under Matawalle and Sen. Abdulaziz Yari, was uniting the party into a formidable one.
IMAD said, “Every politician will appreciate and build his confidence that the party will be victorious come 2027.”
Responding, Matawalle expressed gratitude to God for bringing into the APC such prominent figures as IMAM, whose legacy extends across the whole state and beyond.
Matawalle emphasised that with more leaders and their followers joining the APC from other opposition parties, especially the ruling PDP in Zamfara, the APC was definitely heading towards reclaiming its stolen mandate in the state in 2027.
Idris quoted Matawalle as saying that while the party would organise a befitting reception for ImAD and his supporters, they were already bona fide members and would be treated equally with all other members without segregation.
“The defection of IMAD further confirmed the fears being expressed by the PDP in the state over Matawalle, Yari, and other APC leaders, which are attracting more new entrants into the APC.