Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Kaduna — Political tensions are escalating in Kaduna State after reports emerged that an angry group of youths confronted and attacked a member of the House of Representatives following his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The incident reflects growing unrest around party realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, amid a wave of defections that has reshaped the political landscape in the state.
According to multiple social media and eyewitness accounts, youths in parts of Kaduna State targeted the lawmaker — widely reported to be among officials who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC — as he travelled through a community shortly after publicly declaring his defection and endorsement of the party’s agenda. Video from the scene showed protesters reportedly throwing stones and attempting to block the lawmaker’s movements, forcing him to retreat amid shouts and demonstrations.
The attack — which took place against a backdrop of contentious political shifts in Kaduna — underscores rising tensions among segments of the population unhappy with defections by elected officials. In recent months, several members of the House of Representatives and other legislators from Kaduna have formally decamped to the APC, citing reasons ranging from internal opposition party strife to promises of development and greater political influence for their constituencies. Among these lawmakers is Rep. Daniel Amos, who left the PDP to join the APC earlier this year, a move framed by his supporters as a bid to align with the ruling party for greater access to resources.
Observers say defections of high-profile legislators have contributed to an atmosphere of political uncertainty — particularly in Kaduna, where the ruling APC now holds a dominant position after dozens of elected officials joined its ranks. Governor Uba Sani has celebrated these movements as evidence of an inclusive and unified political vision in the state, pointing to the growing number of APC lawmakers representing Kaduna at both federal and state levels.
However, critics contend that rapid defections risk eroding democratic choice and deepening public distrust, especially when ordinary citizens feel their interests are sidelined in favor of political realignment. In some quarters, defections are viewed as opportunistic rather than rooted in substantive policy differences, a sentiment that has sparked demonstrations and, in the recent incident, direct confrontations with returning legislators.
Political violence and protests associated with election cycles and party realignments are not new in Nigeria, and Kaduna has previously witnessed moments of political instability linked to broader national and regional dynamics. Ahead of the 2027 polls, heightened competition for seats in the National Assembly and major political offices has intensified efforts by all parties to consolidate influence, drawing both support and resistance from different voter blocs.
Security sources in Kaduna confirmed receiving reports of the confrontation, but an official police statement was not immediately available at the time of publication. Local leaders have urged calm and warned against further acts of violence, calling on political actors to refrain from actions that could inflame tensions or disenfranchise constituents. Civil society groups also appealed for restraint, emphasising that political disagreements should be resolved through dialogue and peaceful democratic processes, not confrontation.
The lawmaker involved in the attack was reported to have escaped without serious injury, though his vehicle sustained minor damage from thrown objects. No arrests were immediately announced, and law enforcement agencies are said to be investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
As political realignments continue to gather pace in Kaduna and beyond, incidents like this highlight the challenges Nigeria faces in balancing competitive party politics with the need to maintain peace, uphold democratic norms, and protect the safety of elected officials and citizens alike.
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