Pauline Tallen, Others Dump PDP For APC As Buhari Campaigns

A former Minister of State for Science and Technology, Pauline Tallen, was among chieftains of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] who crossed over to the All Progressives Congress [APC] on Saturday as the campaign train of the opposition party's Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, canvassed votes in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

Others who left the PDP for the APC with their supporters include a former Director General of the Industrial Training Fund [ITF], Sambo Wapmuk, and a former member of the House of Representatives, Leonard Dilkon.

Mrs. Tallen, also a former Deputy Governor of Plateau State, had initially left the PDP for the Labour Party [LP] on which platform she contested the 2011 governorship election. She lost to incumbent Governor Jonah Jang.

Mrs. Tallen only returned to the ruling party last November only to cross to the APC Saturday, saying the PDP had failed the Nigerian people.

Meanwhile, at his rally in Jos, Mr. Buhari said if given the opportunity to rule Nigeria as President, he would end insurgency and corruption in the country.

"APC is determined to break the vicious circle of insecurity, lack of jobs and corruption in this country", he told the crowd at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos. 

"What is happening in the North-East is totally unacceptable because most youth in Nigeria are unemployed and we will create job opportunities for the youths."

Mr. Buhari lamented the falling standard in the education sector, saying, "Schools in Nigeria no longer turn out competent graduates, infrastructure is gone, salaries of teachers are no longer paid regularly and the best we can do for this generation is to put in the best in our educational system. When we give our youths best education, they can take care of themselves."

The APC candidate said the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration had failed to protect lives and property of Nigerians.

On the Nigerian economy, Mr. Buhari said he would turn around the agriculture and  mining sectors to provide employment for Nigerian youth.

The National Chairman of the APC, John Oyegun, presented the party’s flag to the state governorship candidate, Simon Lalong, who said the wave for change was now effectively on its way in Plateau State.