Gombe NNPP governorship candidate joins PDP

The 2023 governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in Gombe State, Khamisu Mailantarki, on Saturday, joined the Peoples Democratic Party.

Mailantarki’s move comes three months after his resignation from the NNPP, during which time he did not join another party.

Speaking at the party secretariat during his reception ceremony, Mailantarki said he joined the PDP to help enhance the party’s chances, adding that his entry would help the main opposition party unseat the All Progressives Congress administration in the state in 2027.

Mailantarki decried the unfavourable APC-led government policies at both federal and state levels, adding that they have failed miserably in delivering good 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.