In a major shakeup in Taraba politics, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Kizito Bonzena, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress. He blamed his exit on what he called the growing factional battles rocking the PDP at the national level.

Bonzena isn’t leaving alone. Fifteen other lawmakers have also tendered letters announcing their intention to cross over to the APC. Those joining him include Deputy Speaker Hamman Adama Abdullai (Bali II), Majority Leader Jethro Yakubu (Wukari I), Tafarki Eneme (Kurmi), Akila Nuhu (Lau), Musa Chul (Gassol I), and Josiah Yaro (Wukari II).

Others on the list are Tanko Yusuf (Takum I), Veronica Alhassan (Bali I), Anas Shuaibu (Karim Lamido II), Nelson Len (Nguroje), Umar Adamu (Jalingo I), Joseph Kassong (Yorro), John Lamba (Takum II), Happy Shonruba (Ardo Kola), and Zakari Sanusi (Ibi).

Addressing reporters, Bonzena urged residents not to misread their move, insisting it was taken for the good of the state. He explained that with the mass defection, all 24 members of the Taraba Assembly now belong to the APC. He appealed to citizens to sustain their support for the state government, describing the development as the best route for progress.

A former speaker and current Mbamnga representative, Peter Diah, welcomed Bonzena and the defecting lawmakers. He recalled how they treated APC members fairly when the party was in the minority and expressed happiness that they have now aligned with what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s political vision.

Diah congratulated the new APC members and said their entry marks a new chapter for governance in Taraba. With this mass movement, the state assembly now operates without any minority opposition.