Taraba Speaker, 15 PDP Lawmakers Defect To APC

Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Kizito Bonzena, has formally announced that he is leaving the Peoples Democratic Party and defecting to the All Progressives Congress. He attributed his exit to what he described as a deepening internal division within the PDP at the national level.

The speaker also disclosed that 15 other PDP lawmakers have submitted letters indicating their decision to join the APC. Those who defected include Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai of Bali 2 Constituency, Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu of Wukari 1 Constituency, Tafarki Eneme of Kurmi Constituency, Akila Nuhu of Lau Constituency, Musa Chul of Gassol 1 Constituency and Josiah Yaro of Wukari 2 Constituency.

Others who moved to the APC are Tanko Yusuf, representing Takum 1, Veronica Alhassan of Bali 1, Anas Shuaibu of Karim Lamido 2, Nelson Len of Nguroje, Umar Adamu of Jalingo 1, Joseph Kassong of Yorro, John Lamba of Takum 2, Happy Shonruba of Ardo-Kola and Zakari Sanusi of Ibi Constituency.

Bonzena emphasised that the mass defection was not driven by personal interests but by what they believed to be the overall good of Taraba State. He urged residents not to misunderstand the move, saying it was intended to strengthen governance and political stability.

He added that with the latest development, all 24 members of the Taraba State House of Assembly now belong to the APC. He appealed to the public to continue supporting the government as the state enters what he described as a new phase.

Former speaker and current member representing Mbamnga Constituency, Peter Diah, welcomed the defectors and expressed satisfaction that they had joined what he called the vision of President Bola Tinubu. He said the House had treated APC members well even when they were in the minority, and he prayed that the mass defection would usher in positive change for the state.

With the defections, the Taraba State House of Assembly now has no minority members.