The former governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party in Gombe State, Alhaji Khamisu Mailantarki, has officially defected to the Peoples Democratic Party, accompanied by thousands of his supporters.
Speaking at a political gathering organized to welcome the new members into the PDP on Saturday in Gombe, Mailantarki expressed renewed confidence in the PDP, largely due to the leadership of former Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, which he cited as a significant reason for his return to the party.
“We initially began our political journey with the PDP, later becoming founding members of the All Progressives Congress, and along the way, we chose to join the NNPP. However, we are now back home in the PDP, reassured by the leadership of Dankwambo,” Mailantarki said.
He further criticized the ruling APC in Gombe State, arguing that the administration has not served the interests of the economically disadvantaged.
According to Mailantarki, the APC government has seized lands from citizens and introduced biometric attendance requirements for public workers, which he claimed unfairly burdens those who face daily struggles to commute due to economic difficulties.
“This requirement has unfairly impacted those who struggle to reach the office daily due to the harsh economic conditions, especially as some states have reduced workdays to just three per week,” he stated.
At the event, PDP State Chairman, Gen. Abner Kwaskebe (rtd), formally presented Mailantarki with his PDP membership card and emphasized the party’s strong roots in Gombe State. Kwaskebe expressed optimism about the PDP’s chances in the next election, saying, “In 2027, we will do everything humanly possible to regain leadership in Gombe State.”
He also reassured both new and returning PDP members that they would be fully embraced as part of the party’s commitment to fostering unity among its members.