The 27 members of the Niger State House of Assembly have denied reports that 15 lawmakers are planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers described the reports as baseless and politically motivated.
The rumour claimed that the affected lawmakers, known as the G-15, planned to join the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
They were said to be unhappy after losing out in the APC primaries and consensus arrangements.
But addressing journalists in Minna on Tuesday, Speaker Abdulmalik Sarkindaji dismissed the claim.
Sarkindaji said none of the 27 lawmakers was planning to leave the APC.
He said the G-15 had accepted the outcome of the party’s internal processes.
According to him, the affected lawmakers had resolved to work for the party’s success in 2027.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we are all here together today as one family,” he said.
The Speaker said the lawmakers had investigated the allegation and found no evidence of secret negotiations with opposition parties.
“We are one and united family. We are behind APC, we are for APC and will continue to be for APC,” he said.
Sarkindaji also declared the Assembly’s support for Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago.
He said the lawmakers would also support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election.
The Speaker commended Tinubu for appointing Bago as North-Central Zonal Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council.
He pledged the lawmakers’ support for Bago’s campaign efforts across the zone.
“He is going to deliver the six states in the geopolitical zone to APC come 2027 general election,” Sarkindaji said.
Speaking for the G-15, Hon. Mohammed A. Haruna said the lawmakers had no reason to leave the APC.
He said they remained united despite the outcome of the party primaries.
Haruna pledged their support for APC, Bago and Tinubu.
“We have not lost any member to any party or any opposition. We will conquer and we will deliver in 2027,” he said.
The lawmakers urged the public to disregard reports suggesting that members of the Assembly were planning to defect.
