PDP Loses Last Lawmaker in Sokoto Assembly as Randa Defects to ADC
By Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The last remaining member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abdullahi Randa, representing Tureta Constituency, has defected to the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC).
Randa, a two-term lawmaker, announced his defection in a letter addressed to the Speaker of the House, Alhaji Tukur Bala, which was read during plenary on Tuesday in Sokoto.
Speaking to journalists after the session, the lawmaker said his decision was driven by the protracted leadership crisis rocking the PDP.
According to him, the lingering internal disputes have significantly weakened the party’s ability to function as a credible opposition.
“I had to take this decision after careful consideration of the situation within the party, which has made it difficult for it to remain a viable platform,” he said.
Randa’s defection comes barely a week after a wave of resignations by PDP lawmakers in the state Assembly.
It would be recalled that on April 7, seven PDP lawmakers defected to the ADC, while one joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Those who defected to the ADC include Abubakar Magaji (Bodinga North), Habibu Modachi (Isa), Buhari Haliru (Sokoto North I), Bashar Jabir (Tambuwal East), Nasiru Adamu (Goronyo), Awaisu Aliyu (Gada West), and Atiku Liman (Silame).
Meanwhile, Muhammad Mas’ud, representing Shagari Constituency, joined the APC.
With the latest development, the Sokoto State House of Assembly now has 22 members under the APC and eight under the ADC, while the PDP has lost all its seats in the Assembly.
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