The Deputy governorship and two state assembly candidates on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Katsina State have dumped the party.

Sources close to the party told Katsina Mirror that Engr. Munaqa Rabe Darma, the running mate of the party’s flag bearer, Engr. Nura Khalil, had exited the NNPP but deputy gubernatorial candidate was yet to formally notify the party of his move. 

According to sources, Darma had written to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of his decision to quit the race and defect from the opposition party.

In another breathe, the two former state assembly candidates of the NNPP,  Abdullahi Lawal Jibiya and Yazid Mohammed Katsina, who joined the APC formally in Government House Katsina on Wednesday, were received by the state governor, Aminu Bello Masari, in his office.

It was also gathered that Drama may be heading to the ruling party due to his closeness to the top hierarchy of the party.

A dependable source, who spoke to this reporter on the condition of anonymity, said the former Petroleum Tax Development Fund (PTDF) Executive Secretary’s defection from the NNPP didn’t come as a surprise to any keen observer of the party, saying despite the mutual respect that Drama and Khalil have for each other, they have different mindsets about the party.

Speaking during a brief defection ceremony in Masari’s office, the erstwhile state assembly candidates told the governor that they had since notified the NNPP of their decision to join the APC.

Masari, who congratulated the duo over their defection, assured that they would be accorded equal treatment like other card carrying members of the party.

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