From Victor Osula, Abuja
Four Senators and three Representative members of the Peoples Democratic Party have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing deepening internal crises within the opposition party.
Four senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Senators include Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East), and Samson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South).
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read their individual letters of defection during plenary on Wednesday.
The lawmakers cited irreconcilable differences within the PDP as the reason for their defection.
Their formal defection was witnessed by APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru; former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige; and several members of the House of Representatives.
The lawmakers include Hon. Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro (Ife Central/Ife East/Ife North/Ife South, Osun State), Hon. Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya (Atakunmosa East/West and Ilesha East/West, Osun State), and Hon. Marcus Onobun (Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben, Edo State).
The Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, read their defection letters during plenary on Wednesday.
In their letters, the lawmakers attributed their decision to the “irreconcilable crisis” within the PDP at the national level, saying the party had lost its founding vision.
They also praised the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, Speaker Abbas, and the developmental strides of APC governors
Raising a point of order, the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, cited Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which deals with the forfeiture of legislative seats upon defection in the absence of a party split. Chinda urged the Speaker to uphold the constitutional provision and take necessary action regarding the defections.
