The Northern Elders Unity Forum of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the alleged use of state influence and financial inducement by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle Maradun, aimed at luring PDP members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in Zamfara State.

In a statement issued after a meeting with party elders from Kaura Namoda, Zurmi, Tsafe, and Bungudu Local Government Areas, the Forum’s National Secretary, Dr. Abbas Sadauki (Dan Madamin Tofa), accused Matawalle of exploiting “excess wealth and power” to pressure PDP members holding party positions in Zamfara and Kaduna states to defect.

“Minister Matawalle is bent on weakening the PDP in Zamfara and other North-West states ahead of the 2027 elections,” Sadauki said. “His use of political appointments and state resources to sway our loyal members has created a serious leadership vacuum within the party in the region.”

The elders warned that such actions undermine democratic values and cautioned that many PDP members are being misled by promises from the APC.

“This is not a good omen for Nigeria’s democracy. We urge President Tinubu to call him to order. His main objective appears to be dismantling democratic structures built to promote fairness, justice, and cohesion in the country,” Sadauki added.

Efforts to reach the minister for comment were unsuccessful. Reports indicate that over 24,000 PDP members, including former executives and elders from six local government areas in Zamfara, have reportedly defected to the APC.

The Forum called on the president and other national leaders to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic system by discouraging political coercion and inducement.