The African Democratic Congress, ADC, and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have suffered another setback in Katsina State following the defection of politicians and supporters from both opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

Governor Dikko Radda formally received the defectors from Safana Local Government Area at the Government House in Katsina on Monday evening.

The new APC members were presented to the governor by the Deputy Speaker of the Katsina State House of Assembly, Abduljalal Haruna Runka, alongside Safana Local Government Chairman, Abdullahi Sani.

Welcoming them, Radda described their decision to join the APC as evidence of growing confidence in his administration and its development agenda.

“We are happy to receive you into the APC. Your decision demonstrates your confidence in our leadership and commitment to the development of Katsina State,” the governor said.

Radda assured residents of Safana that his administration would continue implementing programmes and projects aimed at improving their welfare.

He also urged existing and newly admitted APC members to work together and strengthen the party ahead of future political contests.

Runka, who presented the defectors, said the delegation had come to formally reaffirm its support for the ruling party.

He praised Radda for development projects executed across Safana and pledged continued political support for the governor.

“We appreciate His Excellency for the support and development projects his administration has brought to our people. We assure him of our continued support and loyalty,” Runka said.

Safana council chairman, Abdullahi Sani, similarly pledged that political stakeholders in the area would work together to consolidate the APC’s strength.

Speaking for the former PDP members, Umar Ya’u said Radda’s style of governance and what he described as the governor’s fairness to opposition members influenced their decision to defect.

Ya’u recalled benefiting from the state government’s subsidised fertiliser programme despite belonging to the PDP at the time.

“I was surprised when I was told that I was among those who would receive government-subsidised fertiliser, even though I was then a member of the opposition PDP,” he said.

According to him, the gesture, coupled with development projects in the area, convinced him and his supporters to move to the APC.

Speaking for the ADC defectors, Umme Yakubu Safana said their decision was driven by confidence in Radda’s leadership and vision for Katsina.

“We are happy to join the APC and become one family. We are ready to work with other party members and support the development of Katsina State,” he said.

The PDP delegation was led by Yahaya Abubakar, while Safana led the defecting ADC members.

The latest movement adds to the political realignments taking place in Katsina ahead of the 2027 elections, with opposition parties battling to retain key members as the APC seeks to consolidate its hold on the state.