Upon his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema was warmly received by Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda, who described the move as a homecoming and a reunion with political family members.
Governor Radda expressed his delight shortly after Shema was presented with a membership card by the Shema Ward Executive of the APC in Dutsinma Local Government Area.
In a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ibrahim Kaula Mohammed, the Katsina governor reminisced that both Shema and the immediate past governor, Aminu Bello Masari, had previously served under the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Although circumstances and individual goals had once separated the two leaders, they have now found themselves united once again on the same side, as explained by Radda.
Radda urged other patriotic citizens of the state to come together in reshaping the state for greatness, emphasizing that his doors are open to all willing to contribute to the state’s growth.
On Thursday, Ibrahim Shehu Shema officially made the transition from the People Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Following this move, the state leadership of APC issued him a membership card bearing serial number 26551.
The membership card, completed by the state secretary of APC, was presented to the former governor at the Shema Ward Party office in Dutsinma by the state chairman of APC, Alhaji Sani Aliyu Daura.
Alhaji Jabirru Abdullahi Tasuri, Chief of Staff to Governor Radda, accepted the membership card on behalf of the Katsina governor, who intends to personally hand it over to former Governor Ibrahim Shema.
Upon receiving the card, Alhaji Jabirru Tasuri hailed the APC’s significant achievement in welcoming a prominent figure from the opposition, marking a historic political shift.
Earlier, the state chairman of APC, Alhaji Sani Aliyu Daura, praised Governor Radda and his predecessor, Masari, for their efforts in facilitating the defection of the influential figure, promising fair treatment for the former governor.
In a welcoming speech, the state secretary of APC, Suleiman Nanadi, emphasized that the addition of former Governor Barrister Ibrahim Shema to the party further validates the success and popularity of the APC.