Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro leads fresh wave of PDP defections to APC in Gombe State

Gombe South Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro defects from PDP to APC, joining a wave of federal lawmakers consolidating power under Governor Inuwa Yahaya in 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 8:39 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Daily Trust

Strategic Shift in Gombe Legislative Landscape

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has significantly strengthened its legislative presence in Gombe State following the defection of Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro. Representing the Gombe South Senatorial District, Yaro’s departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) marks a major shift in the state's political alignment. The defection was formally announced on April 24, 2026, by Ismaila Uba Misilli, the Director-General of Press Affairs for Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who characterized the move as part of a broader strategy to unify the state’s leadership under the APC banner.

Consolidation of Power Ahead of 2027

Senator Yaro is the latest in a string of federal lawmakers to abandon the PDP in favor of the ruling party. Earlier in 2026, several prominent members of the House of Representatives made similar moves, including Minority Whip Hon. Ali Isa JC, Hon. Abdullahi El-Rasheed (Dukku/Nafada), and Hon. Inuwa Garba (Yamaltu Deba). State officials claim these defections have "tightened the grip" of the APC on Gombe, effectively neutralizing the opposition's influence and consolidating political control well in advance of the 2027 general elections.

High Profile Reception by Party Leadership

The formal reception for Senator Yaro involved several top tier APC officials, highlighting the importance of the Gombe South seat. Governor Yahaya was joined by the Chief Whip of the House of Representatives, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, and the APC Deputy National Financial Secretary, Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, to welcome the Senator. The party leadership emphasized that Yaro’s experience and local influence would be instrumental in implementing the state's development agenda and maintaining administrative stability.