15th October, 2014
Four All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers in Taraba House of Assembly on Wednesday announced their defection to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The lawmakers are Alhaji Ibrahim Imam (Jalingo 1 Constituency); Alhaji Mohammed Abdulkarim (Ibi); Alhaji Yahaya Abdulrahman (Gassol 2), and Alhaji Aminu Jalingo (Jalingo 2), whom the Speaker, Mr. Josiah Kente, made the announcement on his behalf.
Announcing his defection on the floor of the house, Abdulkarim said he only “returned home”, given that the PDP was his initial party before joining APC.
Also, Imam said his defection to PDP was a necessary decision informed by a popular demand in his constituency.
Reacting to the development, Mr. Edward Baraya (Karim Lamido 2) said the defection was long overdue.
He, however, noted that the former APC lawmakers had never been antagonistic to motions moved by their PDP counterparts in the past.
John Bonzena, representing Zing Constituency, said PDP, being the largest party in Africa, was big enough to accommodate every member in the house.
In his speech, speaker Kente said the defection of the lawmakers had followed a proper procedure.
He commended the lawmakers for their “bold decision”, stressing that in the PDP, members were equal regardless of when they joined the party.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the defection of the four lawmakers has left the house with no opposition, as the 24 members of the assembly are now in PDP.