Alhaji Khamisu Mailantarki, the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Gombe State, has officially defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing along thousands of his supporters.
Mailantarki made the announcement during a political event held in Gombe on Saturday, where he expressed his belief in the leadership of former Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, citing his leadership qualities as a key reason for his return to the PDP.
He explained, “We began our political journey with the PDP, later helped form the All Progressives Congress (APC), and then joined the NNPP. Now, we are returning to the PDP, where we feel most at home under the leadership of Dankwambo.”
Mailantarki also criticized the current APC administration in the state, accusing it of neglecting the poor.
He pointed to the government’s actions, such as land seizures and the introduction of a biometric attendance system for public servants, which he argued unfairly burdened workers struggling to make it to the office due to the harsh economic conditions.
“The biometric attendance system has been especially detrimental to those already struggling to cope with the economic challenges, as some states have even reduced workdays to just three per week,” he added.
In his remarks, the PDP Chairman in Gombe State, Gen. Abner Kwaskebe (rtd), welcomed Mailantarki into the party and emphasized the PDP’s enduring influence in the state.
He declared, “In 2027, we will do everything possible to regain leadership in Gombe State.”
Kwaskebe assured that the PDP would embrace both long-time and new members in the spirit of unity, stressing that the party would work towards strengthening its base and fostering cohesion.
