HASSAN, OTHER PDP CHIEFTAINS DEFECT TO APC

"The purpose of the present government is to unite and develop the state".... El-Rufai.
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“We have undertaken development project across the state without discrimination".

“We are also going to encourage the LGAs to do similar interventions in their headquarters and other major settlements as we have employed people that can help develop our state".

Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmed el-Rufai has reiterated his administration’s commitment towards the improvement of security and development of the state.

Mallam el-Rufai restated this during the reception of some “heavyweight PDP chieftains” from Southern Kaduna who defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC on Friday, 10th January.

News gathered from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveals that, among those who decamped to the ruling party were former Commissioners, former Federal and State legislators, former Local Government Council Chairmen and other PDP officials.

The decampees who were led by Tony Hassan, the Dokajen Jaba, said they came to align with Governor el-Rufai and his deputy, Hajia Hadiza Balarabe, to move Kaduna State forward.

Governor Nasir el-Rufai speaking while receiving the latest decampees, said his administration is committed, with the support of the party, to deliver on this, we are going to continue with infrastructure expansion in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan.

This, according to the governor is because, they are our three major metropolitan areas in the state.

"The purpose of the present government is to unite and develop the state", he said
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“We have undertaken development project across the state without discrimination".

“We are also going to encourage the LGAs to do similar interventions in their headquarters and other major settlements as we have employed people that can help develop our state although we are not where we are supposed to be yet, because Kaduna state gave birth to all the 19 Northern states and the FCT".

"In many areas of infrastructural development, health and education, we are behind some of the states we gave birth to", el-Rufai stated.

“This is what keeps most of us awake day and night not only to catch up, but to surpass those states and we need everyone".

“We have to put all hands on deck. It doesn’t matter where you are coming from and who you worship; we all believe in one God and ethnicity. What matters is what you can contribute to our state", he stressed.

Gov. el-Rufai reiterated that the people of Kaduna state deserve the best and assured that the government would spend the next three and half years to give it to them.

“And we are going to spend the years with your support and prayers, to improve security, unity of purpose and development of the state".

“We want to create a new set of future leaders for Kaduna state. We realise that we are old and not supposed to be here; we are the products of circumstances", he said.

“Some of the chairmen, members of the House of Assembly and Commissioners are the new set of leaders".

“We cannot achieve that until we unite and stop listening to ethnic and religious bigots who see everything through the lens of religion", the state governor pointed out.

“Religion and ethnicity don’t build road, do not provide education or health care, it is people working together with the unity of purpose".

Mallam Nasir el-Rufai assured the defectors that his government is for all and not for followers of a particular religion or ethnic group, saying; “it is government for all to serve the interest of all whether the people supported us or not, once the elections are over, we are the government of the entire state".

“We operate with the highest level of transparency and accountability, giving equal opportunity as what matters to us is credibility and competence and what you can contribute to the people of Kaduna state", he added.

He thanked the former PDP members for joining the APC to contribute their efforts in uniting and moving the state forward.

The Deputy Governor, Mrs Hadiza Balarabe in her address, commended the defectors for their decision to join forces with the government to bring about positive changes in the state.

“It is gratifying to see people like you coming to seek collaboration. We are going to make Kaduna the envy of the people of Nigeria“, she said.

She assured the former PDP members of government's willingness to partner with all to make the state great again.

She noted that there were lots of misconception among people of the Southern Kaduna zone where she comes from.

“We have been short-changed for long. So, it is time to work together to reap the dividends of democracy", she said.

The State Chairman of APC, Emmanuel Jakada, said politics is a game and those who play well achieve its dividends.

“Nothing can be so beautiful as what has happened today. I am glad the people from my zone are now getting it right”, Jakada said.

Earlier, Mr Hassan, who is also the leader of the defectors, reiterated their commitment in working with the present administration to achieve greatness.

“We have come to reaffirm our commitment to join hands for the sake of development of our state.

“We were PDP leaders from various capacities. We have moved to the APC to support the government, because the afministration of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai is doing what it is supposed to do for the people", Hassan said.