Sokoto state governor, Aminu Tambuwal.
Eighteen out of the 30 lawmakers of the Sokoto State House of Assembly have decamped from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the Peoples Democratic Party.
They defected from the APC on Wednesday hours after the governor of the Northwest state, Aminu Tambuwal, announced his departure from the party.
Speaker of the House Salihu Maidaji, who was among the 18 defecting members, made the announcement at the Assembly.
“We the undersigned 18 members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly belong and identify with the faction of the APC led by one of its founders, Buba Galadima,” he said.
“We are aware that all efforts to bring sanity into the APC and unite the different groups, camps and faction have proved abortive.
“After several attempts and efforts and the election is around the corner and we stand in danger if we remained in a party that is divided against itself.
“As such, in accordance with the letters and spirit of Section 109 (1) (g) of the Constitution as amended, hereby defect to PDP forthwith.”