*As Taraba Speaker, 15 Lawmakers Dump PDP for APC
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Former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, has cautioned the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the rising wave of defections into the ruling party, warning that the influx may destabilise the organisation if not properly managed.
Speaking on Sunday night at the Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe Annual Award Lecture in Abuja, the Borno South senator expressed concern that many of the defectors crossing from the opposition bring “no real value” to the APC.
Ndume described the situation as an overloaded vessel. He said the APC risks capsizing if it continues to receive defectors who add no weight of substance.
“I have warned that the APC is becoming overloaded. And when you overload a ship, especially with mostly empty cargo, it risks capsizing,” he said.
The lawmaker said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears uncomfortable in the opposition. He insisted that APC leaders are not actively wooing defectors but are simply receiving political actors seeking refuge.
“When a brother displaced by crisis knocks, do you shut the door?” he asked.
Ndume, however, criticised the trend of immediately elevating defectors to party leadership positions, saying it breeds confusion.
“It is like leaving one church for another and wanting to become the pastor in charge, or converting to Islam and insisting on becoming an Imam. Naturally, this creates confusion,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu as his administration tackles national challenges but argued that several appointees lack the capacity required for their positions.
“The government is overloaded with kakistocrats and kleptocrats, and they must be removed for progress to be made,” he added.
Earlier at the event, Dame Uche Azikiwe, wife of Nigeria’s first president, commended organisers for preserving Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s legacy. She called on present-day leaders to emulate the selflessness of First Republic statesmen.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Kizito Bonzena, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the APC.
He announced his decision on Sunday, citing what he described as persistent factionalisation of the PDP at the national level.
Bonzena revealed that fifteen other lawmakers have submitted letters indicating their decision to leave the PDP for the APC.
Those defecting include Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai (Bali 2), Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu (Wukari 1), Tafarki Eneme (Kurmi), Akila Nuhu (Lau), Musa Chul (Gassol 1), and Josiah Yaro (Wukari 2).
Others are 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), and Zakari Sanusi (Ibi).
The speaker stressed that the move was in the collective interest of the state.
“Our people should not misinterpret this decision. It is for the interest of the state. We now have all 24 members of the House as APC members,” he said.
Former speaker and member representing Mbamnga Constituency, Peter Diah, welcomed the lawmakers, saying their defection aligns Taraba with the vision of President Tinubu.
With the realignments, the Taraba State House of Assembly now has no minority member.
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