Aliero announced his defection along with the leadership of CPCin Kebbi during the launch of the PDP gubernatorial campaign in the state by President Goodluck at Halliru Abdu Stadium in Birnin Kebbi on Thursday.
Aliero, who was accompanied by his supporters to the PDP rally, told the mammoth crowd that the persuasion of President Goodluck Jonathan, former President Olusegun Obasanjo and prominent personalities convinced him to return to PDP.
He informed the crowd that he initiated the merger of ANPP and PDP that had won the governorship election in the state since 2007 “but for certain reasons after three years, problems with the PDP leadership separated us.
“As of today, I say goodbye to CPC and enjoin others to register as PDP members and vote for its gubernatorial candidate.”
President Goodluck Jonathan said at the rally that the decision of the former governor of the state to lead others to defect to PDP was the most relevant aspect of the campaign.
Also, the PDP North-West Zonal Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Kazaure, said the party would ensure that unity and teamwork dominated its activities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Aliero won the governorship election in the state on the ticket of ANPP in 1999 and 2003 and defected to PDP in 2007.
He won election to the Senate in 2007 on the ticket of PDP from where he was appointed minister shortly after assuming his seat at the National Assembly.
In 2011, Aliero joined CPC and contested election to the Senate but lost to the PDP candidate.
- Courtesy: News Agency of Nigeria