The remaining member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Gombe State House of Assembly, Yakubu Daniel, popularly known as Shetiman Bare, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), leaving the opposition without any seat in the legislature.
Daniel, who represents the Billiri East Constituency, made the switch in a move that further strengthens the APC’s complete dominance of the Assembly.
Welcoming him into the party on Saturday, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya praised the development, describing it as a major political milestone and a strong vote of confidence in his leadership and administration.
“This is a strong vote of confidence in our leadership, our policies and our inclusive style of governance. For the last remaining opposition member in the Assembly to take this step speaks volumes about the direction we are taking in Gombe State,” the governor said.
Yahaya noted that the development underscored the growing acceptance of the APC across the state, attributing it to his administration’s focus on transparency, fairness and service delivery.
He further said, “Our doors remain open to all who are willing to join us in building a better Gombe. The APC is a party that believes in unity, justice and equal opportunity. We will continue to provide a level playing field for everyone, regardless of when they join.”
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The governor also linked the party’s increasing dominance to public confidence in both state and federal leadership.
“The overwhelming support we are witnessing is not by chance. It is a product of the trust the people have in what we are doing here in Gombe, as well as the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu at the national level,” he added.
Daniel’s defection marks the end of PDP presence in the Gombe Assembly, following earlier defections by other opposition lawmakers, including members of the minority caucus.
With this latest move, the APC now holds all 24 seats in the state legislature, further consolidating its hold on the state’s political structure.