Less than a day before the widely speculated defection of Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), all 16 PDP members of the Taraba State House of Assembly have dumped the party for the ruling APC.
The dramatic shift unfolded during Monday’s plenary, where Speaker John Bonzina announced the mass defection.
He read letters from each of the legislators, all declaring their exit from the PDP and their decision to align with the APC.
Bonzina said the legislators invoked Section 109 of the Constitution, which allows elected officials to leave their parties in the event of internal divisions.
In their letters, the legislators cited a lingering leadership tussle at the PDP’s national level, pointing to competing factions as evidence of deepening discord within the party.
They described the crisis as one that has left the party in disarray and eroded confidence among members and supporters.
After the plenary, several lawmakers reiterated that what once appeared to be manageable disagreements had now escalated into destabilizing fractures that threatened the party’s future.
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Many said they consulted widely with constituents before finalizing their decisions.
Jethro Yakubu, representing Wukari I, said the move had become unavoidable, warning that the unresolved crisis “has the potential to expunge the party from the country.”
Musa Chul of Gassol I and Nelson Len of Nguroje constituency echoed similar concerns, saying remaining in the PDP would jeopardize their political careers and the interests of their supporters.
The mass exodus marks a major turning point in Taraba’s political landscape, especially as speculation heightens over Gov. Kefas’ possible switch to the APC.
With the defection of the 16 lawmakers, the 24-member state House of Assembly is now solidly under APC control.
Reacting to the development, former Speaker Abel Diah, a longstanding APC member, praised the lawmakers for their decision.
He commended the speaker and the defectors for embracing President Bola Tinubu’s vision, expressing optimism that Taraba State would enjoy greater benefits from the federal government under the new alignment.
