By Abel Leonard/ lafia
Leadership crisis deepens in the major opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Nasarawa State as a former member of the House of Representatives, Dr. Joseph Haruna Kigbu, defects to All Progressive Congress (APC) with10,000 supporters.
Receiving Dr. Kigbu and others into the party at Taal square Lafia, Saturday, the APC state party, caretaker chairman, John Mamam, who described Dr Kigbu as the party’s prodigal son that has return home adding that the former lawmaker represented Lafia/Obi federal constituency at the House of Representatives from 2011-2015 on the platform of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) before dumping the party for the PDP due to irreconcilable differences saying their defection is to add value to what the current Governor Abdullahi Sule is doing in the state.
According to Dr. Kigbu who spoke on behalf of other defectors stressed that their exit has marked the end of PDP in Nasarawa State adding that those remaining in PDP are inconsequential and “I call on them to join hands with the APC to build the state
Dr. Kigbu while returning to the APC with 10,000 supporters also said his story was that of a prodigal son who only returned home after a long journey in the wilderness.
He therefore, appreciates the Governor for accepting him back into the APC alongside thousands of his supporters, promising to eschew politics of bitterness but to embrace progressive engagements.
Delivering a keynote at the event, a Former speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, extolled the leadership qualities of the Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, stressing that with the type of leadership being demonstrated, there is no way the state cannot be among the first three states in the country.
The former speaker also noted that with the existing peace and unity in the state, as a result of the effective leadership being provided by the Governor, “Nasarawa State is heading to be among the top three states in Nigeria.”It’s only effective leadership that will deliver peace. t takes a leader only in the mould of Governor A. A Sule to recognize that we need peace and unity in order to make progress,” he stated.
Hon. Dogara added that with the quality of leadership being provided in the state, Nasarawa State will realize her potentials, while appreciating Engineer Sule for demonstrating the kind of leadership that is investing in people.
” I recall how the Governor spoke about the people of the state with passion, as well as the progressive agenda he has for the state, with this kind of determination that places premium on peaceful coexistence of the people of this state and recognizes those who will help you achieve this agenda and bringing them into the fold, that is the only way you can deliver all the promises you made during your election,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule welcomed Dr. Kigbu and his friends back home, adding that nothing is making it possible for Dr. Kigbu, a former House of Representative, to return to the APC, which he helped build its foundation before leaving to the opposition party, other than justice, peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding that is presently prevailing across the State.
Engr. Sule further explained that “since inception, his administration has been guided by the fear of God, as well as the need to ensure lasting peace and unity among the people of the state stressing that with the responsibility vested on him and as Governor of the state, he will carry every citizen along, irrespective of political believes or social status.
The event, which held at the Lafia Square, was attended by prominent politicians from within and outside the state, including two former governors of the state namely Senators Abdullahi Adamu and Umaru Tanko Al-makura.
