John Bonzena, the Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gatekeepers News reports that the defection took place on Monday, ahead of the planned switch of Governor Agbu Kefas to the APC later this week. Bonzena was joined by principal officers of the state legislature and all PDP lawmakers in the assembly.
Viral videos from the event show the legislators exchanging their PDP caps for ones featuring President Bola Tinubu’s insignia, and receiving brooms, the symbolic emblem of the APC.
Governor Kefas had earlier confirmed his intention to leave the PDP during a press interaction on Saturday. He described the move as being tied to “the destiny of Taraba people” and hinted at a significant turnout for the ceremony.
“There is going to be a major shift and alignment on November 19,” Kefas said. “I will officially transition from PDP to APC. It is a movement that has to do with the destiny of Taraba people.”
Kefas becomes the latest governor to leave the PDP for the ruling APC in 2025. Others who have defected this year include Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Peter Mbah of Enugu, and Douye Diri of Bayelsa.
