A two-time governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Niger State, Umar Nasko, has joined the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.
The ex-PDP chieftain was received into APC by the party’s governorship candidate, Umar Bogo, and APC Vice Chairman North Central Muazu Bawa, as well as top chieftains of the ruling party, at a ceremony on Thursday in Minna.
Speaking to journalists in Minna, Mr Nasko, who was also the chief of staff to former Governor Babangida Aliyu, said he joined the APC after he was approached by Mr Bago to contribute to the party’s success in the state.
He said: “My defection to the APC is out of conviction after I was approached by the progressives led by the APC governorship candidate, Umar Bago.
“This is a turning point for the progressives in Niger state and I promise to work maximally to ensure that APC is victorious at the polls on March 18.”
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that Mr Nasko was the PDP candidate for the 2015 and 2019 elections in the state.
He was, however, defeated by Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello in both outings.
Mr Nasko had also indicated interest in vying for the senatorial ticket of the Niger North senatorial district but later withdrew from the race.