Taraba Assembly Speaker and 15 Lawmakers Join APC
The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kizito Bonzena, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), alongside 15 other lawmakers from the state assembly.
The group of defectors includes Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai (Bali 2), Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu (Wukari 1), Tafarki Eneme (Kurmi), Akila Nuhu (Lau), Musa Chul (Gassol 1), Josiah Yaro (Wukari 2), Tanko Yusuf (Takum 1), Veronica Alhassan (Bali 1), Anas Shuaibu (Karim Lamido 2), Nelson Len (Nguroje), Umar Adamu (Jalingo 1), Joseph Kassong (Yorro), John Lamba (Takum 2), Happy Shonruba (Ardo-Kola), and Zakari Sanusi (Ibi).
Bonzena emphasized that the decision was made in the collective interest of Taraba State, not for personal gain. “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 the defectors, noting that the House had previously supported APC members when they were in the minority. He expressed satisfaction that all members are now united under the vision of President Bola Tinubu.
Bonzena also prayed that the move would usher in a new era of progress for Taraba State. With the shift, the Taraba State House of Assembly now has no opposition members.
Governor Kefas has confirmed he will also defect from the PDP, with his formal declaration for the APC scheduled for Saturday.
The mass defections have raised concerns among critics, who argue that the moves may be pushing Nigeria toward a one-party system under the APC.
