Sixteen members of the Taraba State House of Assembly including the Speaker, Kizito Bonzena have officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Bonzena made the announcement on Monday in Jalingo, stating that he and his colleagues decided to leave the PDP because of the deepening internal crisis and factional struggles at the national level.
According to him, each lawmaker has already submitted a formal letter confirming their defection.
The defectors include:
Hamman-Adama Abdullai, Deputy Speaker (Bali 2)
Jethro Yakubu, Majority Leader (Wukari 1)
Tafarki Eneme (Kurmi)
Akila Nuhu (Lau)
Musa Chul (Gassol 1)
Josiah Yaro (Wukari 2)
Tanko Yusuf (Takum 1)
Veronica Alhassan (Bali 1)
Anas Shuaibu (Karim Lamido 2)
Nelson Len (Nguroje)
Umar Adamu (Jalingo 1)
Joseph Kassong (Yorro)
John Lamba (Takum 2)
Happy Shonruba (Ardo-Kola)
Zakari Sanusi (Ibi)
Speaking on behalf of the group, the Speaker emphasized that their decision was driven by what they believe is the “collective interest of Taraba State,” not personal motives.
“Our people should not misunderstand us. This is in the interest of Taraba. With this move, all 24 members of the House are now in the APC,” Bonzena said.
Former Speaker Peter Diah, who represents Mbamnga Constituency, welcomed the defectors into the APC, expressing satisfaction that they have aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s political direction. He described the development as a “new dawn” for the state, noting that the House had previously treated APC lawmakers fairly even when they were in the minority.
With all lawmakers now in the ruling party, the Taraba State House of Assembly currently has no minority leader, making it one of the few state legislatures in Nigeria fully dominated by a single party.
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