The Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Wesley Bathiya, has announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alongside 14 other members of the Assembly.
Bathiya disclosed the decision during Wednesday’s plenary session, formally presenting and reading out the resignation letters of the affected lawmakers after legislative proceedings had concluded. He confirmed that they had officially withdrawn their membership from the ruling party.
The mass resignation comes amid heightened political speculation that Governor Umaru Fintiri may be considering a defection from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC), although no formal announcement has been made.
Speaking on the development, Mahmud Kallamu, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and one of the defecting lawmakers, described the move as strategic. Meanwhile, an APC member indicated that the party would be open to receiving the lawmakers should they decide to join its ranks.
Although the lawmakers have yet to publicly declare their next political affiliation, observers suggest that many may eventually align with the APC. Following the defections, the PDP’s representation in the Assembly has reportedly reduced from 25 members to 10.
