The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, John Kizito Bonzena, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress along with 15 other lawmakers. The mass defection took place on Monday and has been described as the most sweeping political shift in the state’s legislative history.
Bonzena’s departure triggered a wave of resignations within the Assembly, with all 24 lawmakers now under the APC. The Speaker attributed the move to persistent factionalisation within the PDP at the national level and said the decision was taken in what he described as the interest of stability and development in Taraba.
Other lawmakers who defected include Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai, Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu and representatives from constituencies across the state such as Kurmi, Lau, Wukari, Gassol, Jalingo, Ardo Kola and Ibi. Former Speaker Peter Diah of the APC welcomed the move, saying it would enhance legislative coordination.
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The development comes just days after Governor Agbu Kefas confirmed he will leave the PDP for the APC on Wednesday. He told journalists that the planned transition represents what he called a major shift and political alignment for the state, with observers noting that the defections further deepen the PDP crisis in Taraba.
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