Our reporter
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered a blow on Tuesday as two of its members in the House of Representatives defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Husseini Jallo, representing Igabi Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, and Adamu Tanko, representing Suleja/Tafa/Gurara Federal Constituency in Niger State, cited the persistent crisis within the PDP as the reason for their departure.
In a letter read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during plenary, Jallo explained that the ongoing instability in the opposition party had hindered his ability to effectively serve his constituents. He praised the Speaker’s leadership style and said he found the APC to be a more suitable platform to advance his political career and better represent his people.
“Mr Speaker, your leadership style and my belief in the principle of national unity were taken into consideration while making this decision,” Jallo stated.
His defection comes shortly after Amos Magaji, another PDP lawmaker from Kaduna, crossed over to the APC, indicating a trend of opposition members switching allegiance.
Similarly, Tanko revealed that his decision to leave the PDP followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders in his constituency.
However, the mass defection was met with strong opposition from PDP lawmakers. Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda raised a point of order, arguing that members who abandon the parties that sponsored them should have their seats declared vacant. He referred to a Supreme Court ruling, which he said mandates that defection must be fully executed, adding that there was no evidence before the House confirming the proper completion of the process.
Deputy Minority Leader Ali Isa echoed these sentiments, warning that the issue of defection must be handled seriously. He called on the defectors to either withdraw their letters or face legal action.
“The PDP remains a strong and vibrant party,” Isa declared. “There is no crisis within the party. The defecting members should act honourably by resigning their positions and seeking a fresh mandate from their constituents.”
The defections have further intensified the rivalry between the ruling APC and the opposition PDP, raising questions over the stability of the latter as the political landscape continues to shift.
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