Three members of the House of Representatives from Katsina have officially defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This development was announced on the floor of the Green Chamber during Thursday’s plenary and was read aloud by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The lawmakers who defected are Hon. Salisu Yusuf Majigiri, who represents the Mashi and Dutsi federal constituency; Hon. Aliyu Iliyasu Ruma, who represents the Batsari, Safana, and Danmusa federal constituency; and Hon. Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai, who represents the Bakori and Danja federal constituency.
Dabai, in one of the letters presented expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda, for what he described as a warm political reception.
The letter read by the Speaker, stated, “I sincerely thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Tukur Radda (Ph.D), for the home reception accorded to me. Thank you. Signed by Honourable Abdullahi Balarabe Dabai.”
While confirming the defection, Speaker Abbas made a remark that sparked applause across the chamber.
“Distinguished colleague, here we have Honourable Abdullah, who has officially decamped. So members of PDP, APC, and NNPP, and Labour should please congratulate him by appreciating him for this very timely decision, for joining the greatest party in Africa,” he said.
On Tuesday, during plenary, Abbas announced the defection of all six Representatives from Delta State from the PDP to the APC.
The six lawmakers blamed the internal crisis in the PDP for their decision.