Three members of the Kaduna State House of Assembly from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), attributing their decision to the impressive performance of Governor Uba Sani.
The defecting lawmakers include Henry Mara (Jaba Constituency), Emmanuel Kantiok (Zonkwa Constituency), and Samuel Kamabai (Zangon Kataf Constituency). They formally announced their switch to the APC at their respective wards on Thursday.
Their defection comes just two days after Amos Magaji, the Member representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, also left the PDP for the APC.
Reasons for Defection
The three lawmakers said their move was to align with the ruling party at the state level, highlighting Governor Uba Sani’s leadership and performance as key factors in their decision. They emphasized their commitment to the political future of their constituents, stating that they could serve their people more effectively within the APC.
Henry Mara, who also serves as the spokesperson for the Kaduna State House of Assembly, declared that the PDP’s dominance in Southern Kaduna had collapsed.
“Governor Sani’s achievements have erased animosity towards the APC. Peace, security, and unity have returned to Southern Kaduna under his leadership. The opposition has been significantly weakened,” Mara stated.
He further hinted at a major realignment within the state’s power structure, suggesting that more opposition lawmakers might soon defect to the ruling party.
“We expect more opposition members to dump the PDP for the APC in the coming weeks,” he added.
Shifting Political Landscape in Southern Kaduna
Emmanuel Kantiok noted that Southern Kaduna, once a PDP stronghold, has experienced a political shift due to Governor Sani’s leadership.
“For the past eight years, peace eluded Kaduna, but Governor Uba Sani has restored stability. His administration has significantly altered the PDP’s influence in Southern Kaduna,” Kantiok remarked.
The wave of defections underscores the growing influence of the APC in Kaduna State and signals a potential reshaping of the political landscape ahead of future elections.
