PDP loses 3 more Rep members to APC

Three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina State, elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection, which occurred on Thursday, marks a continued shift in party allegiance within the 10th National Assembly, raising the total number of lawmakers who have switched parties since June 13, 2023, to 27.

Of the 27 lawmakers:

24 have moved from either the PDP, Labour Party (LP), or New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to join the APC.

One left the Labour Party for All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Two Labour Party members have joined the PDP.

The three members who resigned their membership of the PDP at Thursday plenary are Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai (Bakori/Danja); Aliyu Illiyasu (Safana/Butsari) and Salish Yusuf Majigiri (Mashi/Dushi).

In his letter read at plenary by Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, Majigiri said he was leaving the PDP as a result of the “chronic crisis without cure” affecting the PDP at the national level.

He said he was left with no choice than to seek an alternative platform to advance his political career and ensure adequate representation of his constituents.

He said he was also convinced by the transparent leadership style of the Katsina Governor as well as his all-Inclusive governance and accountability.

Illiyasu said he was leaving the PDP because of irreconcilable differences bedeviling the party, making it impossible for him to adequately represent his people.

Dabai lamented that the PDP has been in crisis since 2022 and all efforts to address the crisis has failed, affecting members of the party.

The defection was witnessed by Katsina governor, Umar Dikko Radda; former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema and other top officials of the APC in Katsina State.