Taraba Speaker and 15 Lawmakers Defect from PDP to APC, Creating All-APC Assembly
Rt. Hon. Kizito Bonzena, Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside 15 fellow lawmakers. This mass defection transforms the 24-member legislative body into a wholly APC-controlled assembly.
Bonzena announced the political shift on Monday, attributing the decision to deepening factional crises within the PDP’s national leadership. He emphasized the move wasn’t personal but served Taraba State’s “collective good.”
“Our people should not misinterpret this decision. It benefits Taraba State. With all 24 members now in APC, we urge citizens to support this development and the state government,” Bonzena stated.
Full List of Defecting Lawmakers
- 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)
This exodus leaves PDP without representation in Taraba’s legislature. Former Speaker Peter Diah (APC, Mbamnga Constituency) welcomed the defectors, recalling the assembly’s impartial treatment of APC during their minority status.
Diah described the unification as “a new dawn for Taraba State,” aligning the legislature with President Bola Tinubu’s development agenda. The defections eliminate the minority caucus entirely, creating unprecedented political alignment in the state assembly.
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