Eight reps defect to APC, PDP

Six members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

Two Labour Party (LP) legislators also moved to the PDP.

The notices of defection were read by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, during plenary on Tuesday.

Obetta Chidi, who represents Nsukka/Igbo-Eze south federal constituency of Enugu, defected from the LP to the PDP.

Dennis Agbo, representing Igbo-Eze north/Udenu federal constituency, also moved from LP to PDP.

Victor Nwokolo, representing Ika north east/Ika south federal constituency of Delta, defected from the PDP to the APC.

Julius Pondi, representing Burutu federal constituency, also left the PDP for the APC.

Thomas Ereyitomi, who represents Warri north/Warri south/Warri west federal constituency, moved from the PDP to the APC.

Nicholas Mutu, a PDP member representing Bomadi/Patani, joined the ruling party. He has been in the green chamber since 1999.

Ukodhiko Jonathan, representing Isoko north/Isoko south, also dumped the PDP for the APC.

Ezechi Nnamdi, a first-term member representing Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency, moved from PDP to APC.

The lawmakers cited protracted internal crises and divisions within their parties as the reasons for their defection.

They argued that the lingering internal wrangling was affecting their ability to deliver on campaign promises, adding that their decision to defect was made with the full support of their constituents.

The recent defection of lawmakers from Delta state mirrors the move by Sheriff Oborevwori, the governor, who recently switched allegiance from the PDP to the APC.

The house has witnessed a steady wave of defections in recent months, signalling growing discontent within some political parties.

On October 2, Chris Nkwonta, representing Ukwa East/Ukwa west in Abia, left the PDP for the APC. Later that month, on October 30, Sulaiman Abubakar from Gummi/Bukkuyum in Zamfara also crossed over to the ruling party.

By December 5, four Labour Party lawmakers and one PDP member had defected to the APC, further tilting the balance in the lower chamber.

The trend continued on February 11 and 12, with Amos Magaji from Kaduna and Garba Koko from Kebbi both leaving the PDP for the APC.

On March 18, two more PDP lawmakers — Jallo Mohammed (Igabi, Kaduna) and Adamu Tanko (Gurara/Suleja/Tafa, Niger) — joined the ruling party, citing the party’s internal crisis and divisions as their reason.

Just over a week later, on March 27, Clara Nnabuife, who represents Orumba north/south in Anambra, left the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), attributing her defection to being sidelined from party activities.