Three lawmakers from the Kaduna State House of Assembly, elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with their supporters.
The defecting legislators—Henry Mara (Jaba Constituency), Emmanuel Kantiok (Zonkwa Constituency), and Samuel Kambai (Zango Constituency)—announced their decision on Thursday at their respective wards. Speaking to PUNCH Online in a telephone interview, they cited Governor Uba Sani’s leadership and performance as key reasons for their move.
Their defection comes just two days after Amos Magaji, the lawmaker representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, also joined the APC.
The lawmakers emphasized that their decision was in the best interest of their constituents, as they believed they could serve them better within the ruling party.
Henry Mara, representing Jaba Constituency, declared that PDP’s influence in Southern Kaduna had significantly weakened.
“A major realignment in the power structure of the State House of Assembly is looming, as we expect more opposition members to leave the PDP for the APC,” Mara stated.
Samuel Kambai, representing Zango Constituency, attributed the shift to Governor Uba Sani’s achievements, stating that they had erased animosity toward the ruling party.
“Governor Uba Sani’s commendable achievements within two years are responsible for the decline of opposition parties. Southern Kaduna has been a stronghold of the PDP since 1999, but today, that jinx has been broken by the governor’s credible leadership,” Kambai said.
Emmanuel Kantiok, representing Zonkwa Constituency, acknowledged the state’s previous security challenges and credited Governor Sani for restoring relative peace. He pledged to support the administration in sustaining its progress.
The defections mark a significant shift in Kaduna’s political landscape, signaling a growing influence of the APC in a region historically dominated by the PDP.
