The last remaining member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Gombe State House of Assembly, Hon. Yakubu Daniel (Shetiman Bare), has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), effectively leaving the opposition without representation in the state legislature.
Daniel, who represents Billiri East Constituency, formally joined the APC in a move widely seen as consolidating the ruling party’s total control of the Assembly.
Receiving the lawmaker into the party on Saturday Governor Muhammadu Yahaya described the defection as a significant political development and a clear endorsement of his administration.
“This is a strong vote of confidence in our leadership, our policies and our inclusive style of governance,” the governor said. “For the last remaining opposition member in the Assembly to take this step speaks volumes about the direction we are taking in Gombe State.”
Yahaya noted that the development underscores the growing acceptance of the APC across the state, attributing it to his administration’s focus on transparency, fairness and service delivery.
“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,” he stated. “We will continue to provide a level playing field for everyone, regardless of when they join.”
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 Ahmed 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 the 24 seats in the state legislature, further tightening its grip on the state’s political structure.
