Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda described the defection of former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema to the All Progressives Congress, APC, as a homecoming and a reunion with political family members.
Governor Radda remarked shortly after Shema was presented with a membership card issued by the Shema Ward Executive of the APC in Dutsinma Local Government Area.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the Katsina governor recalled that both Shema and the immediate past governor, Aminu Bello Masari, once served under the leadership of the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
He explained that though the two leaders were once separated by certain circumstances and individual goals, they are now back on the same side.
Radda called on other patriotic citizens of the state to join hands in repositioning the state for greatness, reiterating that his doors are open to anyone willing to contribute to the state’s development.
Ibrahim Shehu Shema officially switched allegiance from the leading opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to APC on Thursday.
Following this development, the state leadership of APC issued him a membership card with serial number 26551.
The membership card, filled out by the state secretary of the APC, was issued to the former governor at the Shema Ward Party office in Dutsinma by the state chairman of APC, Alhaji Sani Aliyu Daura.
Alhaji Jabirru Abdullahi Tasuri, Chief of Staff to Governor Radda, received the membership card on behalf of the Katsina governor, who will personally present it to former Governor Ibrahim Shema.
Upon receiving the card, Alhaji Jabirru Tasuri declared the APC’s momentous achievement in welcoming such a prominent figure from the opposition, marking a historic shift in the political landscape.
Earlier, the state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Sani Aliyu Daura, commended Governor Radda and his predecessor, Masari, for their role in securing the defection of the influential figure and pledged equal treatment for the former governor.
In a welcome address, the state secretary of the APC, Suleiman Nanadi, stated that having former Governor Barrister Ibrahim Shema join the party further proves APC’s success and popularity.