The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kizito Bonzena, has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing escalating internal crises within the PDP at the national level.
Bonzena also revealed that fifteen additional lawmakers have submitted notices of their intention to switch from the PDP to the APC. Those joining him include Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai (Bali II), Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu (Wukari I), Tafarki Eneme (Kurmi), Akila Nuhu (Lau), Musa Chul (Gassol I), and Josiah Yaro (Wukari II).
Others who have defected are Tanko Yusuf (Takum I), Veronica Alhassan (Bali I), Anas Shuaibu (Karim Lamido II), Nelson Len (Nguroje), Umar Adamu (Jalingo I), Joseph Kassong (Yorro), John Lamba (Takum II), Happy Shonruba (Ardo Kola), and Zakari Sanusi (Ibi).
Addressing the mass defection, the Speaker urged citizens not to misinterpret their decision, stressing that it was taken for the greater good of Taraba. He noted that with the latest development, all 24 members of the State Assembly now belong to the APC. Bonzena encouraged residents to continue backing the state administration, calling the switch the best political direction for Taraba.
Former Speaker Peter Diah, who represents Mbamnga constituency, welcomed the defectors, stating that Bonzena and his colleagues were fair to APC lawmakers during the period when the party was in the minority. He expressed satisfaction that they have now aligned with what he described as the vision of President Bola Tinubu.
Diah congratulated the lawmakers and expressed optimism that their joining the APC would usher in a new phase for both the state and its people. The sweeping defection has now left the Taraba State House of Assembly with no opposition members.