In a dramatic political development, Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, John Bonzena, led a mass defection of 13 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday. The move effectively undermines the PDP’s legislative control in the state and sets the stage for Governor Agbu Kefas’ imminent crossover to the APC.
Political insiders described the defections as “a coordinated flight from a sinking ship,” highlighting the swift erosion of the PDP’s influence in Taraba. The lawmakers’ departure comes just 48 hours before Governor Kefas is expected to formally join the APC during a public ceremony at the Jolly Nyame Stadium, signaling a near-complete collapse of the PDP’s political structure in the state.
Governor Kefas, previously among the last PDP power blocs in the North-East, had earlier boycotted the controversial Ibadan party convention, signaling dissatisfaction with party leadership. Analysts note that this defection wave represents a significant shift in the balance of power ahead of the 2027 electoral permutations, potentially granting the APC a legislative and political monopoly in Taraba.
Legal observers note that while party defections are constitutionally permitted under the Nigerian Constitution’s anti-defection provisions, the mass movement of lawmakers raises questions about legislative stability, governance continuity, and the role of party loyalty in representative democracy.
The political realignment in Taraba underscores the legal and ethical complexities surrounding mass defections, the protection of constituents’ interests, and the interplay between party structures and legislative authority.
