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Kwara APC receives 8000 Bassa PDP defectors
At least 8000 people of the Bassa community in Kwara State on Wednesday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pledging their overwhelming votes for all APC candidates.
The Bassa community in Kwara originated from states like Kogi, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, Benue and FCT, and are largely farmers, spreading across many local government areas of the state.
The defectors, led by their Oba and Aguma Abassa (I), Oba Daniel Zhokwo, were jointly received at the state APC Campaign office by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor for Non-indigenes, Mr Caleb Bobi, and state APC Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Samari, on behalf of the Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.
The Aguma Abassa, Oba Daniel Zhokwo, said their visit was to formally defect from the PDP to APC and to declare their support for AbdulRazaq and other candidates of the party.
“We, Bassa people are here to let you know that we are decamping from PDP to APC and to let you know that we are in full support of this government led by Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq,” he declared.
The Oba commended AbdulRazaq for giving non-indigenes their fair share of his leadership, noting that the present administration has achieved greatly for the state in the last three and a half years.
He requested the government to further empower his people, most especially farmers and traders; and to provide them employment, among other demands.
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He said their defection was not for monetary gains, but because they are convinced that the administration performed well and deserved another mandate to finish its good work.
“We have been residents in Kwara for years. We knew how we were maltreated by the previous administrations.
“We recall how they used to deceive us with their failed promises. They pledged to assist our people including farmers but all in vain,” he said.
Samari, while responding, appreciated the Bassas for their courage and resolve to join the winning team, pledging that the government and the party will not disappoint them and other residents of Kwara.
He urged them to keep their PVCs intact ahead of the polls, saying it remains their weapon to achieve their dream.
“For a record, I want to say that the Bassa people in Kwara are over 8,000, and the representatives here today are from about 10 communities. We have over 200 people representing that 8,000,” said the aide.
On his part, Mr Caled Bobi, the SSA to the governor for non-indigenes, said the administration is reputed for creating the right environment for residents to thrive irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds. (NAN)
