By Godwin Agia, Jalingo
There’s a big shake-up happening in Taraba State politics as defections trial in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), following the resignation and withdrawal of membership of the party chairman, Alh Abubakar Bawa 15 lawmakers and all 16 newly elected chairmen in the state.
This is coming when governor Agbu Kefas set to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) tomorrow, November 19, 2025.
Earlier on Monday, Speaker of the Taraba State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Kizito Bonzena, announced that he and 15 other PDP lawmakers have defected to the APC, added that the move makes all 24 members of the House APC members.
According to the speaker, the defecting lawmakers cited issues with factionalisation of the PDP at the national level as a reason for their move to APC. They claimed the situation has thrown the party into confusion and made continued membership untenable.
APC leaders have since welcomed the defecting members, expressing optimism about the party’s prospects in the state.
Former Speaker Abel Peter Diah praised the defectors for joining the APC.
In a related development, the Taraba PDP Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, had earlier resigned from his position, citing internal party disagreements and shifting political dynamics.
The insider disclosed to our Correspondent that the PDP is expected to appoint an acting chairman to stabilize the party and prevent further cracks within its structure.
He said that consultations are underway among PDP leaders to address the defection and its implications for the party in Taraba State.“At the heart of our effort is the integration of Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), which guarantees security, privacy and accessibility of personal data,” she said.
Also at the event, Interior Minister Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo said Nigeria’s digital identity drive was not merely technical but a matter of governance and international credibility.
He emphasised the need for procurement transparency, continuous testing and alignment with global standards to ensure Nigerian credentials are trusted worldwide.
“The investments we make today in PKI, data centres and secure enrolment will be the collateral for Nigeria’s digital economy tomorrow,” Tunji-Ojo said.
He urged the financial sector, technology builders and development partners to play their part, stressing that government would provide the legal framework while the private sector must deliver interoperable services that scale.
“If treated as strategic national infrastructure, Nigeria’s identity system will not only meet global standards, it will set regional benchmarks,” he said.
