By Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto
Hundreds of members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State as the government flagged off the reconstruction of the 36-kilometre Kware-Gidan Madi Road.
The ceremony, held on Thursday, formed part of activities marking the third anniversary of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration.
The road project, being executed under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), is jointly financed by the World Bank and the Sokoto State Government at a cost of N12.708 billion.
Former Nigerian Ambassador to Tunisia and former Secretary to the Sokoto State Government, Amb. Sahabi Isa Gada, performed the flag-off.
Gada described the project as a “road of hope and economic prosperity,” saying it would improve access to markets, schools and healthcare facilities for communities in Kware and Gwadabawa local government areas.
Hundreds Join APC
A major highlight of the ceremony was the defection of hundreds of ADC and PDP members to the APC.
The defectors included former state and local government officials, businesspeople and politicians.
They were received by the Sokoto State APC Deputy Chairman, Alhaji Yahaya Buhari Sirridawa, on behalf of the party leader, Sen. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, and the state APC Chairman, Alhaji Haruna Sarkin-Gobir Adiya.
The Deputy Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Hon. Kabiru Ibrahim Kware, also participated in receiving the new members.
Deputy Governor Idris Muhammad Gobir welcomed the defectors on behalf of Governor Aliyu, assuring them of equal treatment within the party.
Aliyu Reaffirms Commitment to Rural Infrastructure
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding rural infrastructure and improving connectivity across Sokoto State.
He said the 36-kilometre road would feature a gravel base, asphaltic surface dressing, hydraulic structures, side drains and road furniture.
The governor said his administration had constructed and commissioned several township and rural roads across the state over the past three years.
“I challenge the contractor to deliver this project on time and according to specifications. I also call on benefiting communities to support the contractor,” Aliyu said.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Roads, Alhaji Malami Muhammad Galadanchi, said the administration had constructed more than 1,365 kilometres of roads across the state’s 23 local government areas since 2023.
According to him, some of the roads have been commissioned while others are awaiting inauguration.
Galadanchi added that another 530 kilometres of roads were being planned, pending the award of contracts by the state government.
Sultan, Community Leaders Hail Project
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Binji, Sarkin Yakin Binji, Alhaji Usman Dansarki, commended the state government for its development initiatives.
He pledged the continued support and prayers of traditional institutions for the success of the administration’s programmes and policies.
Kware Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Attahiru, also praised the government for projects executed in the area.
Attahiru acknowledged the contributions of former Governor Wamakko to the development of Kware and commended Aliyu for sustaining investments aimed at improving the socioeconomic wellbeing of residents.
Gada also praised the governor for what he described as purposeful leadership and commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and development partners for supporting rural infrastructure development in Sokoto.
The ceremony was attended by members of the National and Sokoto State assemblies, traditional rulers, senior government officials and other dignitaries.
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