Dikko Radda present as three Katsina PDP reps join APC during plenary

Three members of the house of representatives from Katsina state have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

The notices of defection were read by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, during plenary on Thursday.

All three lawmakers attributed their defections to the internal crisis in the opposition party.

Abdullahi Balarabe, who represents the Bakori/Danja federal constituency, said he sought a more stable platform due to the “protracted crisis” in the PDP.

Abubakar Albaba Aliyu, who represents the Batasari/Safana/Dan-Musa federal constituency, said he left the PDP due to its “lack of cohesiveness”.

Yusuf Majigiri, representing the Mashi/Dutsi federal constituency, cited a “high level of internal crisis without cure” in the PDP. 

Dikko Radda, governor of Katsina; Muhammad Ali, APC chairman in the state; and some political bigwigs in the state were at plenary to witness the defection.

GALE OF DEFECTIONS

The house has witnessed a plethora of defections in recent months.

On October 2, 2024, Chris Nkwonta, representing Ukwa East/Ukwa west in Abia, left the PDP for the APC. On October 30, Sulaiman Abubakar from Gummi/Bukkuyum in Zamfara also joined the ruling party.

By December 5, four Labour Party lawmakers and one PDP member had defected to the APC, further tilting the balance in the lower chamber.

The trend continued on February 11 and 12, with Amos Magaji from Kaduna and Garba Koko from Kebbi, leaving the PDP for the APC.

On March 18, two more PDP lawmakers — Jallo Mohammed (Igabi, Kaduna) and Adamu Tanko (Gurara/Suleja/Tafa, Niger) — joined the ruling party, citing the party’s internal crisis.

Just over a week later, on March 27, Clara Nnabuife, who represents Orumba north/south in Anambra, left the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), attributing her defection to being sidelined from party activities.

On Tuesday, six PDP members joined the APC, while two Labour Party (LP) legislators moved to the PDP.

Obetta Chidi, who represents Nsukka/Igbo-Eze south federal constituency of Enugu, defected from the LP to the PDP.

Dennis Agbo, representing Igbo-Eze north/Udenu federal constituency, also moved from LP to PDP.

Victor Nwokolo, representing Ika north east/Ika south federal constituency of Delta, defected from the PDP to the APC.

Julius Pondi, representing Burutu federal constituency, also left the PDP for the APC.

Thomas Ereyitomi, who represents Warri north/Warri south/Warri west federal constituency, moved from the PDP to the APC.

Nicholas Mutu, a PDP member representing Bomadi/Patani, joined the ruling party. He has been in the green chamber since 1999.

Ukodhiko Jonathan, representing Isoko north/Isoko south, also dumped the PDP for the APC.

Ezechi Nnamdi, a first-term member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency, moved from PDP to APC.