Senators Haruna Manu and Shuaibu Lau of Taraba State defect from PDP to APC, deepening opposition crisis ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections
Two serving Taraba State senators have formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), signalling early political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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The lawmakers are Senator Haruna Manu, representing Taraba Central, and Senator Shuaibu Lau, representing Taraba North.
Their defection was confirmed on Tuesday, February 3.
The exit of these northern senators is considered a major blow to the PDP, which has been struggling with internal divisions and high-profile defections.
Party insiders suggest the lawmakers left to align with what they see as a more viable political platform ahead of the next election cycle.
As of the report’s filing, the PDP had not issued an official response to the defections.
Sources within the APC described the defections as a boost to the party’s political strength in the North-East, especially as parties begin early positioning for the 2027 elections.
The defections follow a pattern of opposition lawmakers switching allegiance across the country, including Gabriel Suswam, former governor of Benue State, who resigned from the PDP on February 4, citing persistent internal crises and leadership issues.
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Suswam, who has served as a member of the House of Representatives, governor, and senator under the PDP, thanked the party for the opportunities but lamented the lingering problems of ideology, discipline, and leadership structure.
