Six members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Zamfara State House of Assembly have formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), significantly altering the political landscape within the state legislature. This move strengthens the APC’s numerical advantage and marks a notable shift in party alignment in Zamfara, underscoring the ongoing efforts by the governing party to consolidate its influence across the state. The defections highlight a growing challenge for the PDP in a region where internal disputes have reportedly weakened its hold.
The lawmakers, who secured their seats on the PDP platform, publicly announced their decision to join the APC. Among those who switched allegiance are Muktar Nasir Kaura, representing Kaura North Constituency; Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi Maru of Maru North; and Hon. Amiru Ahmad Keta, who represents Tsafe West. Others include Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi from Gummi I Constituency; Barrister Bashir Abubakar Masama of Bukkuyum North; and Hon. Bashir Bello, representing Bungudu West Constituency. This development further solidifies the APC’s dominance in the state assembly.
This political realignment in Zamfara mirrors a similar crisis facing the PDP in Rivers State, where the opposition party has suffered substantial losses in its federal representation. Just recently, six members of the PDP caucus in the House of Representatives from Rivers State also defected to the APC. This latest wave of defections has drastically reduced the PDP’s presence from the state in the federal legislative body, leaving it with a minimal representation.
The six federal lawmakers from Rivers State who crossed over to the APC include Robinson Dekor, Solomon Bob, Cyril Hart, Victor Obuzor, Blessing Amadi, and Felix Nwaeke. Their departure leaves the PDP with only two representatives from Rivers State in the House of Representatives: the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, and Kelechi Nwogu. This marks a profound erosion of the PDP’s influence and numerical strength in the national assembly from a state it traditionally considered a stronghold.
During the formal announcement of the Rivers defections on the floor of the House, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas attributed the lawmakers’ decision to “divisions and unresolved political crisis in the PDP.” The defecting members themselves echoed this sentiment, stating that the internal wrangling within their former party had made it impossible for them to effectively pursue their political aspirations. They further declared their alignment with President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” under the banner of the APC, signalling a strategic shift towards the ruling party’s national vision.
The recent defections are not isolated incidents but part of a deepening crisis for the PDP in Rivers State. The party previously held 12 seats in the House of Representatives from the state, a significant majority that has now been almost entirely dismantled. Last week alone, three other PDP lawmakers from Rivers State – Boniface Emerengwa, Awaji-Inombek Abiante, and Boma Goodhead – also defected to the APC, highlighting a consistent pattern of attrition.
These combined defections in both Zamfara and Rivers States underscore a significant period of vulnerability for the Peoples Democratic Party across Nigeria. The consistent loss of elected officials to the ruling APC, particularly in state assemblies and the national legislature, suggests a broader struggle with internal cohesion and the ability to retain key political figures. This trend poses a substantial challenge to the PDP’s role as Nigeria’s primary opposition party.
Such political realignments are common in Nigeria’s dynamic political landscape, often occurring after general elections as politicians seek new platforms or align with the dominant power bloc. The allure of the ruling party, combined with internal party disputes, frequently motivates these shifts. For the APC, these defections represent a strategic gain, enhancing its legislative majority and potentially smoothing the path for its policy agenda at both state and federal levels.
The successive losses place immense pressure on the PDP leadership to address its internal divisions and develop effective strategies to halt the exodus of its members. Failure to do so could further diminish its capacity to provide robust opposition and effectively challenge government policies. The party faces the critical task of rebuilding trust and demonstrating a unified front to regain its lost ground and political relevance.
As the political climate continues to evolve, observers will closely monitor whether these defections signal a broader trend of party restructuring or if the PDP can mount a significant recovery. The immediate impact, however, is a clear strengthening of the APC’s position and a notable weakening of the opposition’s legislative presence in key states and at the national level. The coming months will reveal the full extent of these shifts and their long-term implications for Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
