The gale of defections in the nation’s political landscape took a different dimension yesterday as seven federal lawmakers, under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Reps in Akwa Ibom State, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Similarly, another lawmaker, who was also elected into the House alongside the seven federal lawmakers during the 2023 general elections, under the platform of Young Progressives Party (YPP), also dumped his party for APC.
The lawmakers are: Hon. Etteh Ikpong representing Eket/Onna/Edit Eket/Ibeno Federal Constituency, Hon. Ekpo Paul Asuquo Etinan/Nsit Ubim Federal Constituency, Hon. Odudoh Uduak Alphonsus Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency, Hon. Okon Ime Bassey Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.
Others are: Hon. Martins Esin Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urue/Offiong/Oruko Federal Constituency, Hon. Idem Unyime Josiah Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency and Hon. Essiet Mark Udo Uyo/Uruan/ Nsit Atai/Ibesokp /Asutan Federal Constituency.
The lawmaker, who defected from the YPP to the APC, is Hon. Ukpongudo Emmanuel Effiong, representing Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency of the state in the green chamber.
The defecting lawmakers in their separate letters addressed to me Speaker of the House Hon Tajudeen Abbas which he read at plenary said that their defection to the APC from their former political parties was due to unending crisis in these parties.
Some of the lawmakers added that their decision on the defection was taken after extensive consultations with party leaders and constituents.
Nonetheless, the House Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, has called on the House presiding officer to declare the seats of the defecting lawmakers vacant.
The lawmaker dismissed the allusion to the crisis in the PDP by these lawmakers, saying that the latest Supreme Court ruling had affirmed that there is no crisis in the party.
He added that the Speaker should toe the part of honour by asking the decampees to vacate their seats in accordance with section 68 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.