The Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kizito Bonzena, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), taking along 15 other lawmakers.
Bonzena, who announced the development during plenary, confirmed that the defecting legislators had already submitted formal letters indicating their intention to join the APC.
Those who moved with him 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), and Zakari Sanusi (Ibi).
Bonzena stressed that the collective decision was taken in the interest of Taraba State, urging citizens not to misconstrue the mass defection.
“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, recalling that the Assembly had been accommodating to APC lawmakers when they were in the minority.
He expressed delight that all members now align with the vision of President Bola Tinubu.
Bonzena prayed that the development would herald a new dawn for Taraba State. With the latest shift, the Assembly now has no opposition members.
Meanwhile, Governor Kefas has confirmed his own defection from the PDP and is expected to officially declare for the APC on Saturday.
However, critics have raised concerns that the wave of defections into the APC indicates that President Tinubu is steering the country toward a one-party system.
