A political realignment has swept through the Taraba State House of Assembly as Speaker Kizito Bonzena and 15 other members formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), leaving the legislature without an opposition bloc.
The announcement was made on Monday in Jalingo, where Bonzena said the move was driven by unresolved factional disputes within the PDP at the national level. According to him, the defectors have already submitted letters notifying the House of their decision to join the APC.
Among those who crossed over are Deputy Speaker Hamman-Adama Abdullai (Bali 2), Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu (Wukari 1), Tafarki Eneme (Kurmi), Akila Nuhu (Lau), Musa Chul (Gassol 1) and Josiah Yaro (Wukari 2).
Also joining the APC are 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) and Zakari Sanusi (Ibi).
Bonzena said the collective shift was intended to advance Taraba’s political and developmental interests. “This decision is not personal,” he said. “It is for the good of our state. With this, all 24 members of the House are now members of the APC.”
Former speaker Peter Diah, who represents Mbamnga Constituency, welcomed the defectors to the ruling party. He said he was pleased that the legislators had aligned themselves with President Bola Tinubu’s political vision and expressed optimism that the development would usher in renewed progress for the state.
He noted that the APC had previously operated as a minority within the Assembly, but now occupies all seats.
The News Agency of Nigeria confirms that the Taraba State House of Assembly now has no minority leader, as every member belongs to the APC.
