JUST IN: Taraba Assembly speaker dumps PDP, joins APC with 15 lawmakers

In a major political shake-up in Taraba State, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kizito Bonzena, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Bonzena revealed that he is not leaving alone—15 other PDP lawmakers in the Assembly have also submitted formal letters indicating their decision to cross over to the APC.

The defectors include Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai (Bali 2 Constituency), Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu (Wukari 1 Constituency), Tafarki Eneme (Kurmi Constituency), Akila Nuhu (Lau Constituency), Musa Chul (Gassol 1 Constituency), Josiah Yaro (Wukari 2 Constituency), Tanko Yusuf (Takum 1 Constituency), Veronica Alhassan (Bali 1 Constituency), Anas Shuaibu (Karim Lamido 2 Constituency), Nelson Len (Nguroje Constituency), Umar Adamu (Jalingo 1 Constituency), Joseph Kassong (Yorro Constituency), John Lamba (Takum 2 Constituency), Happy Shonruba (Ardo-Kola Constituency), and Zakari Sanusi (Ibi Constituency).

Bonzena emphasised that the decision is not personal but in the collective interest of the state.

“Our people should not misinterpret this decision. It is for the interest of Taraba. We now have all 24 members of the House as APC members. We want the people of Taraba to see this as the best decision for the state and continue to support the government,” he said.

Former Speaker and Mbamnga Constituency representative, Peter Diah, welcomed Bonzena and the other defectors into the APC.

He also noted that the House had been accommodating to him and other APC members when they were in the minority, but he is pleased that all members have now aligned with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.

APC party merchandise
Bonzena prayed that the move would mark a new dawn for Taraba State and its people. With this shift, there are currently no minority members remaining in the Taraba State House of Assembly.

Governor Kefas has also confirmed his defection from the PDP and will be formally declaring for the APC on Saturday.

The defections of opposition members into the APC have created a source of worry for some critics who said that President Tinubu is driving Nigeria towards a one-party system.