Four members of the House of Representatives from Bauchi State have left the Peoples Democratic Party to join the Allied Peoples Movement. The defections were confirmed in letters read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Thursday's plenary session. The lawmakers are Muhammad Shehu of Zaki Federal Constituency, Aliyu Garu of Bauchi Federal Constituency, Sani Tanko of Shira/Giade Federal Constituency and Mansur Soro of Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency. They cited internal party squabbles and the need to provide effective representation as reasons for their departure.
Also on Thursday, Jeremiah Umaru, representing Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency in Nasarawa State, defected from the All Progressives Congress to the Social Democratic Party. His move was announced in the same plenary session. The four Bauchi lawmakers' exit marks a significant shift, given the PDP's historical presence in the state. The APM has now gained multiple lawmakers in recent days and counts Governors Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi among its members.
This wave of defections follows a series of party changes in the House earlier in the week. On Tuesday, eight lawmakers moved from the PDP to the APM, while three others left the APC for the PDP and the Nigeria Democratic Congress. On Wednesday, three more APC members joined the Peoples Redemption Party and the African Democratic Congress. Political analysts attribute the movement to internal party crises, leadership disputes and efforts by smaller parties to expand. The PDP faces renewed challenges in maintaining unity after internal disputes following the 2023 general election.
Four Bauchi PDP lawmakers abandoned their party over internal squabbles, yet they now join a movement led by a governor from their own state who was part of the same political structure. Their claim of seeking better representation rings hollow when the new party lacks a national track record of legislative impact. Voters in Zaki, Bauchi, Shira/Giade and Darazo/Ganjuwa may question whether this shift addresses their needs or merely reshuffles political survival tactics. The timing suggests these moves are less about service and more about positioning ahead of 2027.
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