Not fewer than three members of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party in the Kaduna State House of Assembly have officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The defectors, who include Henry Mara, Emmanuel Kantiok, and Samuel Kamabai, attributed their decision to the outstanding performance of Governor Uba Sani.
Mara, representing Jaba State Constituency, Kantiok from Zonkwa Constituency, and Kamabai from Zangon Kataf Constituency, made their switch to the APC during separate events in their respective wards on Thursday.
Their defections follow closely after the move of Amos Magaji, the member representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, who also left the PDP for the APC just two days earlier.
The lawmakers emphasized that their decision was driven by a desire to align with the ruling party, citing the impressive leadership and governance of Governor Sani. They expressed confidence that joining the APC would enable them to better serve their constituents, highlighting that the political future of their people was a top priority.
Mara, who also serves as the spokesperson for the Kaduna State House of Assembly, remarked that the PDP’s dominance in Southern Kaduna had significantly diminished. He credited Governor Sani’s leadership for fostering peace, security, and unity in the region, effectively neutralizing opposition sentiments in the state.
Mara further predicted that more opposition members from the state assembly would likely follow suit, leading to a potential shift in the assembly’s power dynamics.
In a similar vein, Kantiok acknowledged the return of peace in the state under Governor Sani’s leadership, noting that the stronghold of the PDP in Southern Kaduna had been undermined by the governor’s credible leadership and governance.
“A major realignment in the power structure of the etate House of Assembly is looming as we’re expecting more opposition members to dump the PDP for APC, Mara said.