Four Labour Party, One PDP Representatives Defect To APC

In a significant political development, four members of the House of Representatives from the Labour Party (LP) and one from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defectors include Rep. Tochukwu Okere (Imo State), Rep. Donates Mathew (Kaduna State), Rep. Bassey Akiba (Cross River State), and Rep. Iyawu Esosa Edo, alongside Rep. Erthiatake Ibori-Suenu from PDP (Delta State).

READ ALSO: Ondo Poll: Labour Party Candidate Blames Obi, NLC For Election Defeat

The announcement was made during Thursday’s plenary session by Tajudeen Abbas, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Reacting to the development, the Minority Whip, Ali Isah JC (PDP-Gombe), invoked Section 68(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), urging the Speaker to declare the seats of the defected lawmakers vacant.

 However, the Speaker countered that the Minority Whip had selectively quoted the section, implying a need for a broader interpretation.

More details to follow…