Seven members of the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State have formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party and the Young Progressive Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, citing deepening internal crises in their former parties as the reason for their decision.
Their letters of defection, led by the leader of the Akwa Ibom caucus in the House, Unyime Idem, were read on the floor of the House on Thursday by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary.
The defecting lawmakers include Alphonsus Uduak, Martin Esin, Paul Ekpo, Okpolupm Ette, and Bassey Okon—all of the PDP—as well as Emmanuel Ukpong of the YPP.
In their respective letters, the lawmakers explained that their decision to leave their parties came after due consultations with their constituents and was driven by worsening internal problems within their political platforms.
Unyime Idem, who also chairs the House Committee on Public Procurement, said he was leaving the PDP after 26 years of loyalty and service because of escalating leadership disputes, particularly relating to the position of the National Secretary. He cited Section 68(1g) of the Constitution to justify his move.
Similarly, Martin Esin noted that he officially resigned from the PDP on June 17 and decided to join the APC to better align with the hopes and aspirations of his constituents.
Other defectors expressed comparable reasons, stressing their determination to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.
Reacting to the development, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda raised concerns over the implications of the mass defection, warning that such moves could adversely affect Nigeria’s democracy.
While acknowledging the lawmakers’ right to freedom of association under Section 40 of the Constitution, Chinda nevertheless urged Speaker Abbas to uphold the Constitution by declaring the seats of the defecting members vacant in line with constitutional provisions.
