Gombe Governorship candidate dumps NNPP for PDP

Khamisu Mailantarki, the 2023 governorship candidate for the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Gombe State, has officially joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

This development follows his resignation from the NNPP in July without an immediate switch to another political party.

During his reception at the PDP secretariat, Mailantarki declared his commitment to strengthening the party to unseat the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections. He criticized the APC-led government, both at the federal and state levels, for failing to deliver effective governance. Mailantarki argued that the PDP is the only party strong enough to bring about the necessary change in Gombe State.

He took aim at Governor Inuwa Yahaya, condemning his administration’s “uncompassionate” policies. Mailantarki highlighted issues such as the revocation of land titles and the requirement for civil servants to undergo daily biometric registration to qualify for their salaries. He described these measures as unjust, particularly given the current economic challenges, noting that expecting workers to report five times daily without adequate compensation is harsh.

State PDP Chairman Abnor Kwaskebe welcomed Mailantarki’s defection, calling it a significant boost for the party. Kwaskebe assured members of a fair and inclusive environment, emphasizing that Mailantarki’s addition would fortify their efforts to take power from the APC.