In a significant development, the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Kizito Bonzena, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move is attributed to the deepening factional struggles within the PDP at the national level, according to Bonzena.

Bonzena’s defection is not an isolated incident, as fifteen other members of the assembly have also submitted letters indicating their intention to leave the PDP for the APC. The lawmakers who have joined the shift include notable figures such as Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai, Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu, and former Speaker Peter Diah’s colleague, Josiah Yaro. The defections encompass a wide range of constituencies, including Bali, Wukari, Kurmi, and Lau, among others.

The mass defection has resulted in all twenty-four members of the Assembly now being part of the APC, effectively eliminating any presence of a minority opposition within the Taraba State House of Assembly. Bonzena has urged residents not to misunderstand their decision, emphasizing that it was taken in the interest of the state. He appealed to the people of Taraba to continue supporting the state government, describing the move as the most beneficial course for the state.

Peter Diah, a former speaker and current member representing Mbamnga constituency, welcomed the speaker and the defecting members to the APC. He expressed gratitude towards the speaker and others for their fair treatment when they were in the minority and congratulated the new APC lawmakers. Diah hopes that their entry into the party would mark a fresh beginning for Taraba and its citizens.

The development has significant implications for the political landscape of Taraba State. With the APC now having a unified presence in the Assembly, it is likely to impact the state’s governance and policy-making processes. The move may also have broader implications for the national political scene, given the current factional struggles within the PDP. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the defections will shape the future of Taraba State and its relationship with the federal government.