John Shiklam in Kaduna and Juliet Akoje in Abuja

Three lawmakers elected to the Kaduna State House of Assembly on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have decamped to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
Also, Danjuma La’ah, a two term former senator who represented Kaduna South senatorial zone on the platform of the PDP, has resigned his membership of the party.

This was the Concerned People’s Democratic League (CPDPL) has reaffirmed its support for Senator Samuel Nnameka Anyanwu, insisting that he remains the legitimate occupant of the office.

The three state lawmakers who decamped to the APC includes Henry Mara, representing Jaba state constituency, Emmanuel Kantiok, Zonkwa constituency and Samuel Kamabai, representing Zangon Kataf constituency.
Their defection was contained in  letters addressed to the chairmen of the PDP in their various wards.
Their decampment came a few days after  Amos Magaji, a federal lawmaker,representing Zangon Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency decamped from the PDP to the APC.

The three lawmakers, explained that their defection was “to align with the ruling APC in the state, the sterling leadership and performance exhibited by Governor Uba Sani, the state governor.”
They added that “the political future of their constituents was sacrosanct, and they believed that they would serve their people better in the APC.”

Mara, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Information said, “the popularity of the PDP and dominance in Southern Kaduna have crumbled.”
According to him, the achievements of Governor Sani have erased animosity towards the ruling APC as peace, security, and unity have returned to Southern Kaduna under the present administration.
“A major realignment in the power structure of the  House of Assembly is looming as we’re expecting more opposition members to dump the PDP for APC”, Mara said.

On his own, La’ah who tendered his resignation letter to the PDP chairman in his Mallagum Ward, Kaura Local Government Area, on February 4, said his decision to leave the PDP was personal.
He did not however disclose the party he would be moving to.
Meanwhile, the CPDPL’s apex leader, Daboikiabo Z. Warmate at a press conference in Abuja yesterday, alleged that some high-ranking members of the party are spreading misinformation and engaging in acts of sabotage aimed at unlawfully removing Anyanwu.

He singled out a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, National Publicity Secretary Debo Olunulagba, National Legal Adviser Kamaladin Ajibade (SAN), and PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, alleging that they had deliberately violated the PDP’s constitution to advance their personal interests.

Warmate accused Senator Wabara of tampering with the BoT list to include Sunday Udeh Okoye, which led to an invasion of the PDP national secretariat by political thugs.

He alleged that the BoT Chairman who was suspended by the state chapter of the party is executing a broader scheme designed to destabilise the PDP from within and further described Wabara as someone who had previously used court orders to his advantage but now attempting to deny Anyanwu the same legal protections.

He warned PDP members against aligning with what he called an illegal takeover, urging party loyalists to recognize Anyanwu as the rightful National Secretary.

Warmate hoever commended the PDP National Chairman for his leadership and urged party members to remain committed to the ideals of the party.

The CPDPL also called on PDP faithfuls to ignore what it described as false narratives being pushed by those seeking to undermine the party’s stability and  emphasized the need for adherence to due process and respect for court rulings.

“It’s with great disappointment and shame that we have read, listened and watched the brazing lies and propaganda of Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, the insubordination and impersonation of the National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Olunulagba, the misinterpretation and misrepresentation of the PDP constitution by the National Legal Adviser Hon. Kamaladin Ajibade (SAN) and the disregard for the party constitution by the suspended BOT Chairman Sen Adolphus Wabara, as regards the national secretary position and the authentic national secretary of our great party, the PDP.”