Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen Abbas
Four members of the House of Representatives from Bauchi State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), amid continued political realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, read the defection notices during plenary yesterday.
The lawmakers are Muhammed Shehu, representing Zaki Federal Constituency; Aliyu Garu, representing Bauchi Federal Constituency; Sani Tanko, representing Shira/Giade Federal Constituency; and Mansur Soro, representing Darazo/Ganjuwa Federal Constituency.
Also, Jeremiah Umaru, representing Akwanga/Nasarawa Eggon/Wamba Federal Constituency of Nasarawa State, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The defections add to a growing wave of party switches in the Green Chamber since the start of the year.
On Tuesday, eight lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APM, while three others moved from the ruling APC to the PDP and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Similarly, on Wednesday, three legislators left the APC for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Meanwhile, the Bauchi State High Court No. 2 has dismissed Suit No. BA/181/2026 filed by Idrees Gambo against the PRP, Shehu Buba and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and awarded costs against the claimant.
Delivering the ruling yesterday, Justice Kunaza Hamidu held that the application before the court could not be sustained in view of the procedural developments in the matter.
The court subsequently dismissed the suit and awarded N1 million each in favour of the first and second defendants.
The claimant, through counsel Ahmed Adam, had approached the court alleging exclusion from the PRP governorship primaries and seeking judicial intervention over alleged irregularities in the party’s nomination process.
However, during proceedings, the claimant’s counsel indicated an intention to discontinue the suit.
Counsel to the PRP, Muhammad Maidoki, opposed the discontinuance, arguing that substantial steps had already been taken in the matter and that issues had been properly joined before the court.
He urged the court to dismiss the case outright rather than allow withdrawal at that stage.
Following arguments from both sides, the court upheld the position of the defendants, dismissed the suit and awarded costs.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Senator Shehu Buba, Jibrin Jibrin, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a relief that restores clarity to the political process and removes uncertainties surrounding the litigation.
He added that the decision would allow political activities and preparations to continue without disruption.
The PRP State Chairman, Abdulrahman Muazu, also expressed satisfaction with the ruling and urged party members to remain calm and united following the judgment.
