JOLO, Sulu – Sulu Vice Gov. Nur Anna “Lady Ann” Sahidulla and Sulu 2nd District Rep. Munir Arbison bolted from the ruling Lakas-Kampi-CMD party in this province and joined the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC) political party of business tycoon Danding Cojuangco early this week.

The two top provincial officials and Tongkil (Sulu) Mayor Abdulwahid Sahidulla took their oath as new members of NPC at the NPC national headquarters along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City.

The vice governor said their transfer to the NPC was apparently in response to the request of President Arroyo, who asked them to bolt the Lakas-Kampi-CMD party and join NPC.

She said their entire slate and their political supporters – town mayors, board members and village chieftains – for next year’s elections also took their oath before Arbison.

“Our entire political slate for next year’s elections including those incumbent mayors of Sulu who are for us, also bolted the ruling party Lakas-Kampi-CMD and joined NPC,” Sahidulla said.

She said Mrs. Arroyo did not ask them whom to support for president in the coming polls next year.

“The president did not request us whom to support for president in the coming polls and until now our option is still open, whom we will support for president in the 2010 local and national elections,” she explained.

She said NPC top officials pledged to extend to them all the needed political support in Sulu Province in the coming polls.

Sahidulla is eyeing the 2nd congressional district seat here in the coming polls, which will be vacated by Arbison.

Arbison, on the other hand, is expected to join the gubernatorial derby in the province while former Sulu Gov. Benjamin Loong will seek the vice gubernatorial post, to be vacated by Sahidulla.

Political observers in this province said it would be a close fight between incumbent Gov. Abdusakur Tan and Arbison in the coming polls next year.