Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Mahadi Aliyu Gusau, says he will remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and face all the consequences, despite the defection of the state Governor Bello Matawalle to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Matawalle officially announced his defection to APC at a rally in Gusau, the state capital, on Tuesday, putting to rest months of speculation about his defection.
He joined APC with all members of the state House of Assembly and National Assembly members except Deputy Governor Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, and a representative from Anka/Talata-Mafara Federal Constituency who remains in PDP.
The rally was attended by Governors of Kogi, Niger, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Borno, Ogun, Jigawa, Plateau, and Kebbi State, Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, among others.
However, addressing a press conference on Wednesday, Gusau said he was not carried along in the defection plan.
“In the past several months, like everybody else I have come across several reports concerning possible defection of our Governor Bello Matawalle from PDP to APC. As his number two, and since he hasn’t mentioned it I always refrain from making comments on the issue, which in all honesty I considered a mere rumour up till now, having heard of his formal declaration in the media,” Gusau said.
“I want to state for the record that there was no time I was informed or consulted of any plan defection, either by my boss, the party or anybody. I was not invited either in my official or personal capacities. For all intentional purposes it is obvious that the decision to leave me out of it was deliberate, or perhaps another ploy to sow the seed of content in my relationship with the governor Matawalle.
“I wish to extend my sincere regards and good wishes to his excellency Governor Matawalle over his decision to defect to the APC. Like many other Zamfara citizens, pray that with this bold move the governor will further put more energy in addressing the mirage of challenges facing our people.
“With the defection of the governor, it seems fate has again placed another challenge on me by placing squarely at the helm of the opposition party, the PDP, in the state, at a relatively younger age.
“After due consultations with my family, friends, supporters and members of my party, I have decided to remain in the PDP, while continuing to serve the governor and the state as the executive deputy governor.
“I will continue to stand by our party and the people that stood by us at our time of need, I wish to reiterate my unflinching belief in Almighty Allah and accept the consequences of my decision in good faith, knowing fully that it is Allah who gives and takes.”
