Two members of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers, Musa Gude representing Uke/Karshi Constituency and Onarigu Kana representing Udege/Loko Constituency, formally announced their defection during Monday’s plenary in Lafia.
Speaker of the Assembly, Dr. Danladi Jatau, who read their letters of defection, welcomed the lawmakers into the APC fold and commended their decision. He described the move as a “wise and timely step,” urging the state chapter of the APC to grant them automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“I want to appeal to our great party, the APC, to give these lawmakers a soft landing by offering them automatic tickets in the next election,” Jatau said, noting that their decision was largely influenced by the developmental achievements of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Also speaking, the State Secretary of the APC, Yarius Dagusa, lauded the defection as a welcome development and assured the lawmakers of equal rights and privileges within the party. He, however, cautioned party aspirants against attacking one another on social media, urging them to maintain internal unity.
In their separate remarks, Gude and Kana said they joined the APC after wide consultations with their constituents, adding that their decision was driven by the impressive developmental projects initiated by Governor Sule. They also expressed appreciation to the SDP for the platform that enabled their election, pledging continued commitment to quality representation and the advancement of the state.
Meanwhile, Solomon Akwashiki, the member representing Lafia Central Constituency and the only remaining SDP lawmaker in the House, said his colleagues had the right to move to any party of their choice based on personal conviction.