Member representing Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency Hon. Amos Magaji, has said his decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was driven by deep-seated internal crises within the PDP and the unprecedented level of development now visible in Southern Kaduna under President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani.
Speaking during an interview on ARISE News on Saturday, Magaji said his defection was not a rash decision but the result of long-standing frustrations with what he described as PDP’s “unending internal conflicts” and “lack of direction as an opposition party.”
“A lot of things happened immediately after the ward and local government congresses in the PDP,” Magaji explained. “There was already a crisis in the party, and those congresses only amplified the problems — especially in my constituency, where the names of delegates were changed, and people who had been elected as party officials were replaced.”
He said the situation became untenable after several attempts to resolve the disputes failed.
“We fought hard, but it became clear that the PDP was not ready for us as an opposition party. The internal crisis consumed the party,” he said.
Magaji, who defected alongside three Kaduna State House of Assembly members, said the PDP has been in turmoil for years, despite denials from its leadership.
“The crisis in the PDP has been there for long. It’s not just today we’re arguing about who the secretary or chairman of the party is. Right now, you don’t even know who the real national chairman is. That’s how bad it’s become,” he said.
On whether his defection violated the constitutional provisions that prohibit lawmakers from transferring the mandate of one political party to another, Magaji argued that the law allows for defection in cases of division within a party.
“In Nigeria right now, the law does not allow for independent candidates. If the vehicle you’re in isn’t moving, will you stay in it forever?” he asked. “The constitution clearly states that you can defect when there’s a crisis in your party — and PDP has been in crisis for years.”
Explaining why he chose the APC, Magaji said President Tinubu’s administration and Governor Uba Sani’s leadership had transformed the Southern Kaduna region.
“In the past two years, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done so well that if I were still in the PDP, I wouldn’t know how to go back to my community and campaign against him,” he said. “For the first time, Southern Kaduna now has a Federal Medical Centre in Kafanchan — I sponsored the bill as Chairman of the House Committee on Health, and the President approved it. We also now have a University of Applied Sciences.”
He added that Governor Uba Sani’s administration had made visible progress in the region.
“The governor has entered Southern Kaduna more than seven times this year alone. Roads are being built, and government presence is now visible where it never was before. It will be difficult to campaign against APC in Southern Kaduna,” Magaji said.
On fears that Nigeria may be sliding toward a one-party state, Magaji said what matters most is national progress, not opposition for its own sake.
“Whether one-party or multiparty, what’s important is that there is development in the land,” he stated. “If Nigerians have food on their tables, security in the land, drugs in hospitals, and good roads, so be it. Why do we need opposition if it only opposes development?”
Addressing accusations that defections are often motivated by personal gain, Magaji insisted his move was made in consultation with his constituents.
“If we had defected out of selfishness, my people would have stoned us,” he said. “We consulted widely, and the people agreed to move with us. Go to my constituency — look at the projects we’ve attracted. The crowd that came out today was unbelievable.”
Magaji expressed confidence that Southern Kaduna would deliver massively for Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in future elections.
“I jokingly told the Speaker they should go and fix Zaria, because when the votes are counted, Southern Kaduna will lead for Tinubu and Uba Sani — by the grace of God,” he said.
Boluwatife Enome
Follow us on:
