By MUHAMMED DANBABA
Major Political Shift in Southern Kaduna as Opposition Weakens
In a significant political development, three lawmakers from the Kaduna State House of Assembly, elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with their supporters.
The defecting lawmakers are:
Henry Mara (Jaba Constituency) Emmanuel Kantiok (Zonkwa Constituency) Samuel Kambai (Zango Constituency)
Their defection, which was announced on Thursday at their respective wards, comes just two days after Amos Magaji, the lawmaker representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, also switched allegiance to the APC.
Why They Defected
Speaking with PUNCH Online via telephone, the lawmakers attributed their decision to Governor Uba Sani’s leadership and performance in the last one and a half years.
Key Statements by the Lawmakers:
Henry Mara (Jaba Constituency):
“The PDP’s dominance in Southern Kaduna has rapidly crumbled. A major realignment in the power structure of the State House of Assembly is looming, and we expect more opposition members to dump the PDP for APC.”
Samuel Kambai (Zango Constituency):
“Governor Uba Sani’s achievements have erased animosity towards the ruling party and effectively ‘killed’ the opposition in Kaduna State.”
Emmanuel Kantiok (Zonkwa Constituency):
“Southern Kaduna has been a stronghold of the PDP since 1999, but that has changed. Governor Sani’s leadership has brought relative peace to the state after years of escalating insecurity.”
Implications for Kaduna Politics
This wave of defection signals a major shift in the political landscape of Kaduna State, particularly in Southern Kaduna, which has traditionally been a PDP stronghold since 1999.
With more defections anticipated, the APC appears to be consolidating power ahead of future elections, while the PDP faces the challenge of rebuilding its influence in the region.
