"16 PDP Lawmakers Make Bold Move to APC as Gov. Kefas Prepares to Act in Taraba"

Table of Contents

• Defection News
• Plenary Session Details
• Reasons for Defection
• Impact on Politics
• Comments from Leaders

Less than 24 hours before the highly anticipated defection of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), all sixteen PDP members of the Taraba State House of Assembly have resigned from the party and joined the ruling APC.

The significant realignment occurred during Monday’s plenary session, where Speaker John Kizito Bonzina officially announced the defections.

Bonzina read letters from each of the lawmakers, all stating their decision to leave the PDP and switch their allegiance to the APC.

According to the Speaker, the lawmakers invoked Section 109 of the Constitution, which allows elected members to defect if there is a division within their political party.

In their letters, the legislators cited a prolonged leadership crisis affecting the PDP at the national level, highlighting the existence of two rival factions as evidence of increasing instability.

The defectors described the situation as one that has thrown the PDP into disarray, making it increasingly difficult for them to remain with the party.

After the plenary, they reiterated that unresolved internal conflicts, once perceived as manageable, had now weakened the party’s strength and public confidence. Several lawmakers mentioned that they consulted their constituents before making their final decisions.

Jethro Yakubu, representing Wukari I, stated that the move was unavoidable, warning that the crisis threatening the PDP “has the potential to eliminate the party from the country.” Musa Chul of Gassol I and Nelson Len, representing Nguroje constituency, similarly expressed that remaining in the PDP would jeopardize their political futures, prompting them and their supporters to align with the APC.

The mass defection marks a pivotal moment in Taraba politics, especially as the state anticipates Governor Kefas’ potential crossover to the APC. With the departure of the 16 lawmakers, the 24-member State House of Assembly is now firmly under the control of the ruling APC.

Overwhelmed by the defections, former Speaker Rt. Hon. Abel Peter Diah, a dedicated member of the APC in the House and across the country, praised the defectors for recognizing the necessity of joining the APC.

He commended the speaker and the defected members for aligning with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that the state stands to gain significantly from the federal government.