BY Samuel Akpan
Jerry Alagbaoso, a member of the house of representatives, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Alagbaoso, who represents Orlu/Oru east/Orsu federal constituency in Imo, read the letter of his defection during the plenary session on Tuesday.
The legislator attributed his decision to the “confusion” in the Imo state chapter of the PDP.
Alagbaoso said his decision to switch party would enable him to collaborate more effectively with Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, to align the state at the core of Nigerian politics.
“All is not well in Imo state PDP. This explains why three of our colleagues from Imo state and PDP extraction in the house of representatives defected to APC a few weeks ago,” he said.
“I will not be an exception considering the man-made confusion and headaches of PDP in Imo.
“What is happening in Imo PDP is not satisfactory to those people (members) and my colleagues who crossed over and it is not also satisfactory to me.
“The time for me to leave PDP and join my colleagues and join my brothers in APC is now.
“I’m leaving PDP because of the positive achievements of the performing governor of Imo who is of APC extraction. His achievement so far is worthy of commendation.
“I, therefore, wish to join him (Uzodimma) to move Imo state further to the centre just as Imo state elders have advised all politicians in Imo state origin to allow the governor to complete his second term because of his great achievement in Imo.”
While reading his letter of defection, Ndudi Elumelu, minority leader of the house, interrupted him, raising a point of order to express objection to the defection.
However, Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker, did not acknowledge or recognise him.
Gbajabiamila said Alagbaoso’s defection was a significant one which was why he granted him permission to read his letter.
“It is indeed an earthquake moment. That is why I allowed him to read the letter so that you can hear from the horse’s mouth,” Gbajabiamila said.
Alagbaoso is a three-term member of the house of representatives. In 2022, he failed in his bid to clinch the PDP senate ticket to contest in the 2023 general election.
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