Another defection in the House of Representatives as three Katsina lawmakers dump PDP for APC
The gale of defections rocking the Nigerian political landscape has continued to have its fair share in the the House of Representatives, with three lawmakers from Katsina state announcing their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Their defection was formally announced during Thursday’s plenary session and was witnessed by the Governor of Katsina State, Umar Dikko Radda, who was allowed into the chamber after the House set aside it’s rules.
The lawmakers who switched allegiance are: Rep. Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai (Bakori/Danja Federal Constituency), Rep. Aliyu Iliyasu Abubakar (Batasari/Safana/Dan-Musa Federal Constituency), and Rep. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri (Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency).
In letters read by the Speaker of the House, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, the defectors cited internal crises and unresolved disputes within the PDP as key reasons for their move. They also praised the performance of Governor Radda and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, attributing their decision to what they described as “commendable governance” under the APC.
This latest defection comes amid a broader wave of political realignment that has seen several prominent politicians and legislators abandon the PDP in recent weeks.
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On Tuesday, six PDP lawmakers from Delta State including the longest-serving member of the House, Rep. Nicholas Mutu defected to the APC. That same day, the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, and two other members also joined the APC.
The defections extended beyond state assemblies and the National Assembly. In Edo State, 17 local government councillors, former Deputy Speaker Roland Asoro, ex-Majority Leader Nosa Nosayaba, and former PDP State Secretary Gabriel Oloruntoba were among those who jumped ship.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, also recently decamped to the APC, alongside his predecessor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa.
These sweeping defections have sparked intense debate over party loyalty, ideological coherence, and the state of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
