Members of the Taraba State House of Assembly who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress, or APC, are reportedly becoming more anxious because they believe that joining the ruling party won’t ensure them a spot in the upcoming party primary.
As preparations for the upcoming general elections progressively gain traction, what was once hailed as a deliberate move into the perceived safety of the ruling party is now giving way to political uncertainty.
Recall that sixteen lawmakers who were elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform dramatically and extensively defected to the APC a few months ago. Following Governor Agbu Kefas’ decision to leave the PDP—which at the time was seen as a strategic alignment with the center—the MPs did the same. It was estimated that it will ensure better election chances and easier political navigation.
Early on, the defection was portrayed as a demonstration of solidarity and political vision, and public appearances were characterized by guarantees of a better future within the ruling party.
Beneath the surface, though, worries have been growing.
As of the time of publication, a number of the MPs who are defecting are reportedly growing more concerned about their prospects of winning APC tickets in the upcoming party primaries.
According to sources, the parliamentarians are realizing that although the defection may have provided them with temporary political alignment, it also exposed them to fierce internal rivalry and isolated them from comfortable party institutions.
According to reports, several politicians have started to publicly voice their dissatisfaction with their current position within the party.
One of the lawmakers told an exclusive, “We are new in the APC, and the majority of APC members are people we contested against in the past.”
“Now that they control the party structure, how do we confront them in a primary election?”
Sources claim that the long-standing APC supporters who founded the party at the local level are now in charge of the systems that decide party primary results.
There are concerns that powerful political figures and local party leaders may turn on the defectors in areas where the APC has long held sway.
The interests of those who defected with Governor Kefas should be safeguarded within the party, according to another lawmaker who begged not to be named.
“Our interests must be safeguarded; we followed Governor Kefas to the APC.” The legislator stated, “We shouldn’t be sacrificed or allowed to suffer in the APC.”
These demands, however, seem to be at odds with the national leadership of the APC. Regardless of a person’s political standing or the moment of defection, the party has consistently maintained that its dedication to internal democracy would not be compromised.
Bala Ibrahim, the APC Director of Publicity, recently reaffirmed that no candidate will receive a ticket automatically.
“No one will receive automatic tickets.” Ibrahim declared that all candidates have to pass the party’s primaries.
The lawmakers who are defecting have publicly defended their choice to join the APC, citing philosophy, national interest, and the necessity of productive collaboration with the federal government.
However, detractors contend that the action was primarily motivated by the goal of winning reelection on the platform of the ruling party.
Political observers claim that the reasoning behind the defection now seems more unclear due to the APC leadership’s insistence on free and fair primaries.
Our reporter has observed that the political future of the Taraba lawmakers who are defecting is still uncertain as the party’s primaries approach. Joining the ruling party was seen by many as a way to get political cover. Rather, it might turn out to be their most difficult election battle.
Barrister Ibrahim Tukur El-Sudi, the APC chairman for Taraba State, declined to respond when asked about the matter.
“I have no authority to discuss that. The national leadership of our party oversees and conducts all elections for the National Assembly, Houses of Assembly, and Governors, he stated.
