Seven Akwa Ibom reps defect from PDP, YPP to APC

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

The lawmakers are Unyime Idem, representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam federal constituency; Esin Etim, representing Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue federal constituency; and Ekpo Asuquo who represents Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium federal constituency.

Others are Uduak Odudoh, the lawmaker representing Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo federal constituency; Okpolupm Etteh, representing Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno/Onna federal constituency, and Okon Bassey, representing Itu/Ibiono Ibom federal constituency.

The defection notices were announced on the floor of the green chamber by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, during Thursday’s plenary.

The lawmakers attributed their defections to the leadership crisis rocking the PDP.

Similarly, Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, lawmaker representing Ikono/Ini federal constituency of Akwa Ibom, also defected from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the APC.

The defection follows that of Umo Eno, governor of Akwa Ibom, who switched from the PDP to the APC in June.

Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader, protested the defection, arguing that abandoning the party that sponsored a lawmaker’s election undermines democracy.

Chinda said the supreme court has provided legal clarity on what qualifies as a legitimate division within a party, noting that no such crisis exists within the PDP.

With the defections, Mark Esset, who represents Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Asutan/Ibesikpo federal constituency, remains the only PDP member from Akwa Ibom in the house of representatives.