In a major political realignment on Thursday, six members of the House of Representatives formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) during plenary, in the presence of Enugu State governor, Peter Mbah, and APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda.
Five of the lawmakers, all from Enugu State, dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while one member from Plateau State defected from the Labour Party (LP).
Those who defected from the PDP are Obetta Chidi (Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency), Anayo Onwuegbu (Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency), Dennis Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency), Martins Oke (Igbo Etiti/Uzo Uwani Federal Constituency), and Nnolim Nnaji (Nkanu East/Nkanu West Federal Constituency).
Daniel Asama, who represents Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State, also announced his defection from LP to the APC.
Their letters of defection were read on the floor of the House by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who welcomed the new members to the ruling party.
The defecting lawmakers cited “protracted and irreconcilable crises” within their former political parties as the reason for their move.
Following the announcement, Speaker Abbas commended the lawmakers for their decision, saying they had “taken the right decision” by joining the APC.
“You have taken the right decision by joining the ruling party. We welcome you warmly to the APC family,” Abbas declared to loud cheers from the majority members present.
The defections came barely weeks after Governor Mbah of Enugu State officially crossed over from the PDP to the APC, marking a significant shift in the political landscape of the South-East state.
