The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered another setback on Thursday as three of its members in the House of Representatives from Katsina State defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

Their defection, announced during plenary, brings the total number of lawmakers who have switched parties since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on June 13, 2023, to 27. Of that number, 24 have moved to the APC from the PDP, Labour Party, or the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), while others have defected to APGA and PDP.

 

The defectors are Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai (Bakori/Danja), Aliyu Illiyasu (Safana/Batsari), and Salisu Yusuf Majigiri (Mashi/Dutsi).

 

In his letter read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Majigiri cited “a chronic crisis without cure” within the PDP at the national level as the reason for his departure, saying it had hindered his ability to effectively serve his constituents. He also praised the Katsina State Governor’s transparent and inclusive leadership as a motivating factor.

 

Illiyasu echoed similar sentiments, blaming “irreconcilable differences” within the PDP for his decision to leave, while Dabai noted that the party has remained mired in unresolved crisis since 2022, despite various efforts at resolution.

 

The defection was witnessed by prominent APC figures, including Katsina State Governor Dikko Umar Radda, former Governor Ibrahim Shehu Shema, and other top party officials.