By Frank Irad
The political landscape in Nasarawa State has continued to shift as two members of the State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) — Hon. Musa Saidu Gude (Uke/Karshi) and Hon. Onarigu Onah Kana (Udege/Loko) — have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Their defection was formally announced by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau, Ph.D, during Tuesday’s plenary in Lafia.
While welcoming the lawmakers into the APC fold, Speaker Jatau described their decision as a “wise move” and appealed to the state leadership of the ruling party to offer them automatic tickets in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
“I want to appeal to the State APC to give the defected lawmakers soft landing via automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the Speaker stated.
According to Jatau, the lawmakers’ decision followed extensive consultations with stakeholders and constituents, and was largely influenced by the developmental strides of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
In their letters read separately at the plenary, Hon. Onarigu Kana cited the internal crisis at the national level of the SDP as one of his reasons for defection, while Hon. Gude said he was drawn by the APC’s ideology and policies.
Reacting to the development, the State APC Secretary, Mr. Yarius Dagusa, described the move as a welcome development, assuring the defectors of equal opportunities and privileges within the party.
Dagusa, however, cautioned APC gubernatorial and other aspirants against engaging in personal attacks and social media wars, urging them to abide by the party’s constitution and electoral guidelines as 2027 draws nearer.
The defected lawmakers, in their remarks, appreciated their former party for providing them the platform to win their mandates, but reaffirmed their resolve to support the vision of the ruling APC and Governor Sule’s administration.
Meanwhile, Hon. Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, representing Lafia Central and now the only remaining SDP lawmaker in the House, maintained his loyalty to the party, denying the existence of any national crisis within the SDP as alleged.
As it stands, the political composition of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly is now: APC – 15 members, PDP – 8 members, SDP – 1 member.