Two lawmakers of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, under the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Musa Gude (Uke/Karshi) and Onarigu Kana (Udege/Loko), have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Danladi Jatau, the speaker, announced this during the House’s proceedings on Monday in Lafia, the state capital.

The speaker appreciated the lawmakers for their decision to join the APC.

Mr Jatau appealed to the ruling APC to give the defecting members of the House automatic tickets ahead of the 2027 general elections.

”I want to appeal to the state APC to give those lawmakers a soft landing via an automatic ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections,” he said.

Mr Jatau also said their defection to the APC followed the developmental strides of Governor Abdullahi Sule.

Yarius Dagusa, the state APC secretary, also stated that the defection of the lawmakers was a welcome development.

He assured the lawmakers of equal privileges, rights, and treatment in the party.

Mr Dagusa, however, cautioned APC governorship aspirants and other aspirants of the party against castigating each other on social media.

Reacting, Musa Gude (Uke/Karshi) and Onarigu Kana (Udege/Loko) said their defection was due to the developmental strides of Mr Sule.

They said the defections were made after due consultations with the people of their constituencies.

While appreciating their former party, SDP, for giving them the platforms to win the election, they assured of their continued commitment to providing purposeful leadership in the House and the state at large.

On his part, the lone SDP lawmaker and member representing Lafia Central Constituency, Solomon Akwashiki, said the lawmakers have the right to defect to the APC based on their convictions.

He said he was still a member of SDP.

The APC is leading the house with 15 seats, while the opposition PDP has eight and the SDP has one.

(NAN)