The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 elections, Alhaji Isa Ashiru, has suffered another political blow following the defection of his Kudan Ward Chairman, Hon. Sanusi Magaji, popularly known as Mai Kwando, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A statement issued by the Special Adviser on Political Matters and Stakeholders Engagement to the Kudan Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Yunusa Chiroma, confirmed the development.
He noted that the move has further tightened the ruling party’s grip on Kudan politics.
According to Chiroma, the Council Chairman, Hon. Dauda Iliya Abba, has now “consolidated his hold on Kudan Politics.”
APC strengthens its grassroots base
The statement also disclosed that Hon. Sanusi Magaji has been appointed as Senior Special Assistant on Empowerment and Polling Unit Coordination by the Kudan Local Government Chairman.
It further recalled that Magaji had defected from the PDP on August 11, despite efforts to persuade him to either rescind his decision or align with the ADC or SDP.
“With this appointment, Hon. Magaji has become not just a member of APC but a very strong pillar of the party. Hon. Dauda Iliya Abba has also proven his pre-eminence in Kudan politics,” the statement added.
PDP faces declining influence in Kudan
The statement emphasized that the appointment, which took effect after Magaji’s formal defection, was “a fitting reward for his decision to join the ruling party.”
It further noted that:
“In less than a year, serving PDP executives and other stakeholders have exited the party in Kudan to join the APC. This mass exodus signals Isa Ashiru’s fast-declining relevance in his own backyard and raises serious doubts about his capacity to sustain a credible gubernatorial bid, even within his party.”
The statement concluded by stressing that Magaji’s entry into the APC highlights the ruling party’s commitment to “strengthening grassroots structures, empowering communities, and consolidating its political dominance.”
