The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday, suffered another setback in the House of Representatives as a member representing Misau/Dambam Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Mr Aliyu Misau, formally defected to the Allied Peoples Movement.
Misau’s defection comes barely days after four other members of the Bauchi caucus in the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the PDP dumped the opposition party for the APM, deepening concerns over the PDP’s shrinking influence in the state.
The lawmaker’s decision was conveyed in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and read during plenary on Wednesday.
In the letter, Misau cited the protracted leadership crisis rocking the PDP as the reason for his decision to leave the party.
“I would like to thank the PDP for the opportunity given to me to serve the good people of Misau/Dambam Federal Constituency. The leadership crisis in the PDP has made it impossible for me to continue to represent my people and contribute to the development of the constituency,” the letter read in part.
His defection is widely seen as part of the political realignment that has followed the recent exit of Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, from the PDP to the APM. Since the governor’s move, several political office holders and party loyalists in the state have either joined the APM or signalled their intention to do so.
Political observers had predicted that federal lawmakers aligned with the governor would eventually follow suit, given his influence on the state’s political structure and the growing uncertainty surrounding the PDP’s internal cohesion.
The latest development further weakens the PDP’s numerical strength in the House and underscores the challenges facing the party as it grapples with internal divisions and a wave of defections across several states.
For months, the PDP has been embroiled in leadership disputes at both the national and state levels, with disagreements over the party’s direction, control of its structures and preparations for future elections fuelling tensions among key stakeholders.
The party’s crisis has already triggered a series of defections by elected officials and prominent members, raising concerns about its ability to maintain a united front ahead of future political contests.
With Misau’s departure, the APM continues to strengthen its foothold in Bauchi State, buoyed by the influx of key political figures and elected representatives from the PDP.
The PUNCH