1 month ago
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The Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Bathiya Wesley, on Wednesday resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alongside 14 other lawmakers, citing the crisis rocking the party at the national level.
The development followed the earlier resignation of the member representing Girei State Constituency, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, who stepped down during Tuesday’s plenary.
Reading the letters on the floor of the House, Wesley said all the affected lawmakers gave the same reason for their decision.
“All the letters contained the same message. The PDP members cited the crisis at the national level of the party as the main reason for their decision to quit,” he said.
He added that the lawmakers expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunity to contest and win elections on its platform.
“They commended the PDP for giving them the opportunity to contest and win elections on the platform of the party,” he stated.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Bernard Hyelamada, said the defecting lawmakers had yet to decide on their next political platform.
“Governor Ahmadu Fintiri is our leader. He has not directed us on which party to join, so we are waiting for his directive,” Hyelamada told Punch.
Among those who resigned are Deputy Speaker Mohammed Buba Jada-Mbulo and members representing Kefas Calvin Toungo (Kefas), Bulus Geoffrey Leko (Koma), Haruna Jilantikiri (Madagali), Kefas Emmanuel (Song), Ahmed Jingi (Belel), and Moses Yerima Zah (Michika).
Others include Kate Raymond (Mamuno), Pwamwakeno Mackondo (Numan), Adun John Uba (Gaya), Bulus Kantom (Shelleng), Musa Mahmud (Mayo Belwa), and Japhet Hammanjabu (Verre).
The only PDP lawmaker remaining in the House is Bauna Myandasa, representing Lamurde Constituency.
Sources who spoke with Punch disclosed that the lawmakers held a closed-door meeting with Governor Fintiri at the Government House, Yola, for over two hours before Wednesday’s plenary.
Earlier, Senator Binos Yaroe, representing Adamawa South, also resigned from the PDP, blaming the party’s internal crisis.
“I wish to inform you of the withdrawal of my membership of the PDP with immediate effect.
“This is due to the fractured state of the party at the national level.
“I remain grateful for the opportunity the party gave me to represent the people of Adamawa South senatorial district,” he wrote.
Sources revealed that Yaroe is expected to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a bid to secure his senatorial ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
A source close to him claimed that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, who is also reportedly eyeing the presidency on the ADC platform, assured Yaroe of support for his return to the Senate.
Adamawa PDP Publicity Secretary, Victor Dogo, said all PDP National Assembly members from the state were expected to follow Fintiri if he decides to defect.
The governor had recently stated at a public event that he would leave the PDP if his people asked him to.
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