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), citing issues with factionalisation within the PDP at the national level.
Bonzena revealed that 15 other PDP lawmakers have also submitted letters to defect to the APC. The lawmakers include:
- 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)
- Zakari Sanusi (Ibi)
The Speaker emphasised that the move is not personal but intended for the collective interest of Taraba State. “Our people should not misinterpret this decision of ours. It is for the interest of the state. We now have all 24 members of the House as APC members,” he said. He urged residents to view the realignment as the best decision for the state and to continue supporting the government.
Former Speaker and APC member representing Mbamnga Constituency, Peter Diah, welcomed Bonzena and the other defectors. He praised the House for its previous cooperation with APC members in the minority and said their move marks a new dawn for Taraba State, aligning with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.
With the defection, the Taraba State House of Assembly now has no minority members, giving the APC full control of the legislative body.
