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Join for News Updates ✕Nasarawa APC Suffers Fresh Blow as Toto/Gadabuke Lawmaker Muhammad Garba Isimbabi Defects to SDP
Tags: APC, Character Commission Bill, Danladi Jatau, Lafia, Muhammad Garba Isimbabi, Nasarawa House of Assembly, Nasarawa State, Political Defection, SDP, Toto LG, Toto/Gadabuke
Nasarawa APC Suffers Fresh Blow as Toto/Gadabuke Lawmaker Muhammad Garba Isimbabi Defects to SDP
….APC’s Majority Shrinks
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has lost another seat in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly after Muhammad Garba Isimbabi, the lawmaker representing Toto/Gadabuke Constituency, announced his defection to the opposition Social Democratic Party (SDP), further reshaping the political balance in the legislature.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Dr. Danladi Jatau, formally announced the defection during Monday’s plenary in Lafia after reading a letter from the lawmaker explaining the reasons behind his decision.
In the letter, Isimbabi recalled that he was originally elected into the Assembly on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) before political developments led him to join the APC.
“You will recall that my Certificate of Return as a member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly is in the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and I was sworn in as such in this hallowed chamber as a member of the 7th Assembly,” the letter stated.
The lawmaker said the leadership crisis that engulfed the NNPP prompted his earlier move to the APC following consultations with stakeholders in his constituency. However, he said fresh political considerations had informed another change of party.
“Mr. Speaker, in the spirit of my next political journey, I announce my defection from the APC to the Social Democratic Party (SDP), effective June 2026.
“My commitment to the development of Nasarawa State and the welfare of my constituency remains my top priority as I continue my legislative duties in this honourable House under the banner of the SDP.”
Isimbabi said the decision was taken in the interest of his constituents and the overall development of Nasarawa State.
APC’s Majority Shrinks
The latest defection comes less than a week after two other lawmakers—Hon. Mohammed Adamu Omadefu of Keana Constituency and Hon. Ajegena Kudu of Nasarawa Eggon East Constituency—also left the APC for the SDP.
Following the latest development, the composition of the 24-member Nasarawa State House of Assembly now stands at:
APC – 13 members
PDP – 7 members
SDP – 4 members
The defections reduce the APC’s numerical strength in the Assembly, although the party retains its majority.
House Receives Report on Character Commission Bill
Separately, lawmakers received the report of the House Standing Committee on Public Accounts on “A Bill for a Law to Establish the Nasarawa State Character Commission and for Other Matters Connected Thereto.”
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki, presented the report, outlining the objectives and key provisions of the proposed legislation.
The bill, sponsored by the member representing Awe North Constituency, Hon. Hudu A. Hudu, seeks to establish the Nasarawa State Character Commission to promote fairness, equity and balanced representation in public service appointments and government institutions across the state.
After receiving the committee’s report, Speaker Dr. Danladi Jatau fixed August 31, 2026, for lawmakers to deliberate on the bill.
The proposed legislation is expected to undergo further debate before the Assembly decides whether it should proceed to the next stage of the legislative process.