Tension Rises At Defection Rally in Yorro As Gwampo Challenges PDP Unity
Mohammed Tikka
There was mild drama in Pantisawa, the headquarters of Yorro Local Government Area of Taraba State, during a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) rally meant to celebrate the defection of Hon. Joseph Kassong Kannoh from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the PDP.
Hon. Kassong, who is currently the member representing Yorro in the Taraba State House of Assembly, on Saturday May 17th, officially joined the PDP along with many of his supporters and defectors from other parties, including the APC, making it a big day for the party in Yorro.
But the event took a different turn when a former lawmaker, Hon. Danladi Gwampo, who lost his seat to Kassong in the 2023 election, was given a chance to speak.
Instead of celebrating with others, Gwampo caused tension by saying, “I will not allowed David to talk, he is not in my party,” referring to Dr. David Ishaya Kassa, the former Commissioner of Agriculture under Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku’s administration.1
His comments shocked many people at the event and created a brief moment of disagreements among supporters.
Although there was no fight, many people were disappointed by Gwampo’s attitude, which they saw as arrogant and disrespectful.
Some attendees who spoke to our Correspondent said Gwampo was acting as if he owned the PDP in Yorro, forgetting that he had already lost the support of the people in the last election.
They also pointed out that Hon. Kassong is now the most senior PDP leader in Yorro and is the one to be consulted for major decisions, a role Gwampo once played.
However, Dr. David Kassa remained calm and respectful throughout the incident.
Some people who spoke to our Correspondent praised his maturity, saying it has earned him more respect from many people who attended the rally.
Despite the drama, the PDP made big gains in Yorro with the new defections and looks stronger moving forward.
