Three opposition members of the Kebbi state House of Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal crises within the PDP as their reason for the switch.
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The defectors, Umar Na’amore (Argungu Constituency), Hashimu Usman (Yauri Constituency), and Yusuf Abubakar-Tilli (Bunza Constituency), pointed to mismanagement by PDP leaders in their constituencies, leading to factionalization and division within the party.
In letters read by the Speaker, Alhaji Muhammad Usman-Zuru, during a session in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, the lawmakers formally announced their decision to join the APC.
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They explained that the ongoing crisis within the PDP justified their move and allowed them to retain their seats under constitutional provisions.
“There has been a crisis due to the mismanagement of PDP by the leaders in our respective constituencies that led to its factionalization and division. In such circumstances, the constitutional provisions allow us to join another party and retain our seats if there is a crisis,” the letters stated.
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Additionally, the Speaker read a letter from Governor Nasir Idris seeking the confirmation of Muhammad Ashiru-Garba as the new Chairman of the Kebbi Local Government Service Commission, following the death of the former Chairman, Mansur Shehu.
The Assembly resolved to invite Ashiru-Garba for ratification on Wednesday.
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In a subsequent interview, Speaker Usman-Zuru dismissed claims that the Assembly was merely a “rubber stamp” for the executive branch, emphasizing their role as partners in progress with Governor Idris. He praised the governor’s dedication to the development and economic prosperity of Kebbi State, asserting that the Assembly shares the same goals and will hold the governor accountable if necessary.
“Idris is a very good and benevolent personality. He does not want money, a house, or a vehicle; what he desires is the growth of Kebbi and the economic prosperity of the people. The governor is doing what is best for the people of Kebbi. This is also our target objective. We are partners in service, not rubber stamps. We will draw his attention whenever we observe any digress,” Usman-Zuru stated.
