Shuaibu Usman
Nigeria’s main opposition party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nasarawa State said the party cannot be shocked by the defection of Sen. Solomon Ewuga, a former deputy governor of Nasarawa State to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the former FCT Minister (State) as a serial defector who has no good political history.
Recently, Sen. Ewuga announced his planned defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress during a meeting with Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, maintaining that the governor has what it takes to add value to governance in the state.
He stressed that he was coming out of his political hiatus because of the need for him to do the right thing, saying it was time to complete the foundation he laid.
On Saturday last week, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Sen. George Akume among others were in Lafia to receive Sen. Ewuga into the party alongside other defectors and returnees.
Responding on the defection, State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Ibrahim Hamza, told Nasarawa Newsline through a phone conversation; “We have known him to be a serial defector from the PDP to the CPC. He returned to the PDP and now back to the APC. It is really not a surprise to us. He is known for such”.
Hamza added that; “the party with or without Sen. Ewuga can thrive and we are working relentlessly to put our house in order. We are a party that cherishes selflessness, integrity and promotes commitment to service of the people”.
However, during an interview with a section of political partymen loyal to the APC at the grand reception to welcome Sen. Ewuga, said “today’s event is a reunion of a former Deputy Governor, former Minister and a founding member of the opposition People’s Democratic Party in the state, Sen. Solomon Ewuga. It is a political baptism potent to the deepening of democracy and inclusive development in Nasarawa State, North-Central Nigeria which no one can dispute the invaluable contributions of the former deputy governor in the state and Nigeria.
While speaking at the event, Sen. Solomon Ewuga promised to join hands with Gov. Sule and other stakeholders to promote democracy and development in the state.
Commenting on the probable victory of the PDP on the March 18 gubernatorial election at the Supreme Court, the PDP spokesperson revealed that the party has no doubts on the integrity of the judiciary, insisting that just like it happened at the Nasarawa State Election Petitions Tribunal, “It would be an affirmation of the tribunal’s judgment”.
He charged the public to remain calm as the apex court delivers its verdict on the governorship tussle in few days.