The 2023 governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Gombe State Khamisu Mailantarki, has announced his affiliation with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Naija News reports that Mailantarki made this decision three months after he departed from the NNPP, during which he did not switch to any other political party.
During his acceptance speech at the party’s headquarters, Mailantarki stated that he joined PDP to bolster the party’s prospects, stating that his involvement would contribute to the opposition’s goal of overthrowing the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the state by 2027.
Mailantarki criticized the policies implemented by the APC-dominated government at both the federal and state levels, highlighting their failure to deliver effective governance.
“PDP is the only strong party capable of seizing power from the APC, which is the reason for my decision to join it after quitting the NNPP,” Mailantarki said.
While lambasting Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, Mailantarki added, “Some of his administration’s uncompassionate policies, such as revoking land titles and compelling civil servants to undergo biometric registration every day at their workplaces, failure of which would render them ineligible for salary payment, are unacceptable.”
The former gubernatorial candidate noted that it was unfair to force workers to go to work five times a day during this period of economic hardship without a commensurate salary.
On his part, PDP Gombe State chairman Abner Kwaskebe, who received the governorship candidate, commended Mailantarki’s bold step.
“Mailantarki’s defection is a huge success for the party, and we promise all members a level playing field,” he added.