By Gabriel Atumeyi
365Daily – The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau has explained that he did not join the state Governor, Bello Matawalle, and other elected officials to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, because the electoral victory belongs to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Remember how the Supreme Court brought us to power. That’s why I am thankful to God and chose to remain in the PDP,” he told BBC Hausa Service.
Mr Aliyu, who is a son of a former Minister of Defence, Ali Gusau, opposed moving into the APC, arguing that the apex court awarded the electoral victory in 2019 to the PDP and not just its candidates.
Matawalle announced his defection late evening at the Gusau Trade Fair Complex at an event attended by APC Governors, Ministers and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.
The Deputy Governor further said he was never consulted about the plan to defect, adding: ”I heard everything as a rumour until by 6:00 pm on 29th June, he (Matawalle) announced his defection to the ruling APC.
“Since my father brought the party, we never for once left the party. They met us in the PDP and they will left (leave) us there,” Gusau said.
He also added that the PDP will seek redress in court over the “desertion of its elected officials,” while he continues to serve the four years constitutional mandate given to him.
When asked, the Deputy Governor ruled out being impeached.
“That is a big work. I have a good working relationship with the Governor, he sends me on important assignments, including PDP Governors meetings.
“It’s not a new thing in Nigerian politics for Governor and his Deputy to belong to different political parties and complete their constitutional mandate together and I hope this too shall come to pass in Zamfara.”