It was heavy loss for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday in Sokoto State as 27 members of the State House of Assembly crossed carpet to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

A report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) has it that only three members of the assembly – Bala Musa, representing Yabo, Mustapha Hurumi representing Bodinga South and Gatau Mustapha of Isa constituency – had remain in PDP.

NAN said the defection was announced on the floor of the Assembly by the Speaker, Alhaji Lawalli Zayyana.

“The defected members immediately brought out brooms to celebrate their move after the announcement of their names by the speaker,” the report said, adding:

“The state Governor Aliyu Wamakko and his supporters had since defected to the APC, while his Deputy, Alhaji Mukhtari Shagari had remained in the PDP.

“Shagari had at a recent news conference in Sokoto said that his loyalty to the party and President Goodluck Jonathan was intact.

“The deputy governor also maintained that his relationship with Wamakko was still cordial.”

•Photo shows Sokoto Speaker Lawali Zayyana, who led the cross-carpeting.