Yuguda finally dumps ANPP, calls for peace - Dep gov boycotts ceremony

Ishola Michael, Bauchi 15.04.2009

After months of speculations and controversies, Bauchi State governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, has finally dumped the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) on whose ticket he won the 2007 governorship seat and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).


This is just at his deputy, Garba Mohammed Gaid, who still remained in the ANPP, boycotted the ceremony.


While defecting to the PDP with the mandatory payment of N20 for the party membership card, Governor Yuguda said the defection became necessary for the state to belong to the mainstream politics.


He said since the last two years it was in the opposition, the state did not gain anything from the Federal Government.


According to him, “it is not time to fight ourselves again but to reconcile and move the state forward. I am ready for that and I hope others will demonstrate the willingness to reconcile and bury the hatchets.”

He assured that his coming back to the PDP was not to factionalise it, considering the fact that he came along with his supporters, but “to further strengthen the party to be able to face future electoral challenges and emerge victorious.”

In his speech, National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, welcomed Yuguda into the PDP, saying that when he left the party, he never had doubt that one day, he would come back.

Also, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, commended the governor for taking what he described as “a bold step, which many may find difficult to take.”