Mamuda-Aliyu-Shinkafi

Alhaji Mamuda Shinkafi, a former Governor of Zamfara on Sunday joined the ranks of politicians jumping ship to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2019 general elections.

Shinkafi, was elected governor of Zamfara on the platform of All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) in 2007 and defected to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in 2008.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Shinkafi failed in his bid to be elected for a second tenure in 2011 and he had since then remained in the opposition.

Shinkafi who announced his decision to join the APC at a ceremony in Gusau, the state capital said it is the outcome of a long negotiation between him and stakeholders who have faith in him and his  leadership qualities.

The former governor who said he decided to join APC after series of meetings with stakeholders told all his supporters to join him to make the party stronger in the state.

He also announced that all his former cabinet members, including his former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mamman Bawa, had joined him in the APC.

NAN reports that the return of Shinkafi to the APC might be a grand plan by the stakeholders in the state to re-elect him as governor in the 2019 elections.

Alhaji Muntari Anka, who served as a deputy governor with Shinkafi, also moved to the APC in Anka Local Government constituency a fortnight ago.