JUST IN; Seven House of Reps members defect to APC
JUST IN; Seven House of Reps members defect to APC
Six members of the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State have left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The switch was officially announced on Thursday by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during a plenary session.
The defectors include Unyime Idem (Ukanafun/Oruk Anam), Esin Etim (Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue Offong), and Ekpo Asuquo (Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium).
Also making the move were Uduak Odudoh (Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo), Okpolupm Etteh (Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno/Onna), and Okon Bassey (Itu/Ibiono Ibom).
In a related move, Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, who represents Ikono/Ini under the Young Progressives Party (YPP), also defected to the APC.
The lawmakers cited ongoing leadership struggles within the PDP as the primary reason for their exit.
Their defections come shortly after Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno also left the PDP for the APC in June.
However, the move was met with criticism from the minority leader, Kingsley Chinda, who challenged the legitimacy of the defections.
He argued that such actions undermine the electoral mandate and democratic principles, pointing out that the Supreme Court has established clear criteria for what constitutes a valid internal party crisis, criteria he says the PDP’s situation does not meet.
With the latest wave of defections, Mark Esset, representing Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Asutan/Ibesikpo, is now the sole PDP representative from Akwa Ibom in the House.
