KEY POINTS
- Two PDP lawmakers from Kaltungo West and Shongom constituencies defected to the APC on Wednesday.
- The APC now controls 23 of the 24 seats in the Gombe State House of Assembly.
- The defectors cited Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s leadership style and inclusive governance as their reason.
Two members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the Gombe State House of Assembly have switched to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC. This makes the opposition even weaker in the legislature.
Gabriel Galadima Fushison, who represents Kaltungo West, and Malon Nimrod Yari, who represents Shongom constituency, are the lawmakers. On Wednesday, both lawmakers made their decision official before going to the Government House in Gombe to meet with Governor Inuwa Yahaya.
Abubakar Mohammed Luggerewo, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Sadam Bello, his deputy, and other important officials were with them, which showed how important the defection was politically.
Reasons Behind the Defection
The lawmakers said they made the decision because they thought the governor’s approach to governing was inclusive, his leadership was steady, and his performance since taking office was good.
They said that being in the opposition didn’t stop them from working with the executive branch of government. They said that even though their parties were different, their constituencies still benefited from state projects and programs.
The lawmakers also said that Governor Yahaya’s openness and dedication to fair development made them believe that joining the APC would help them better support policies that would make life better for people all over the state.
Governor Yahaya said that the defection was a sign of support for his government and its focus on the people. He told the lawmakers that they would all be treated the same in the party and promised that they would all be fully integrated into the APC structure in Gombe State.
The governor also praised the House of Assembly’s leadership for working well with the executive branch. He said that this cooperation has helped keep the state peaceful and politically stable.
