A wave of defections swept through the House of Representatives of Nigeria on Thursday as 12 lawmakers formally announced their exit from their respective political parties.
The defections were disclosed by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, during plenary.
According to him, six lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while another six left the Young Progressives Party and the Labour Party to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
While announcing the development, Kalu explained that several lawmakers had submitted letters notifying the House of their political realignment.
“Honourable James, yes please. We have seen the reason you are due is the basic reason that most of the people who have left PDP have our dues, and you like what the president is doing with APC, so you are welcome on board,” the Deputy Speaker said.
He added that the House leadership would recognise all lawmakers who had defected and that they would later take photographs with the presiding officer.
“I will list all the people who are doing the same, and then tomorrow at the end of the announcement, you will come and have a photograph with the presiding officer,” he stated.
Kalu formally welcomed the first batch of lawmakers who resigned from the PDP to join the APC.
Among them was Bamisele Komolafe Beatrice Lowery, whose defection letter was read during the session.
“We have Right Honourable Bamisele Komolafe Beatrice Lowery, and it has to do with notice of political realignment from PDP to APC. Honourable Komolafe, you are welcome to APC. Please sit down and later on we’ll invite you to the presiding officer. Yes, he deserves that hand clap. APC, you can clap for him,” Kalu said.
Other PDP lawmakers who joined the APC included Muktar Aliyu Betara and Zakari Dauda Nyampa.
Kalu welcomed them into the ruling party.
“Honourable Betara is resigning publicly and courageously from PDP to APC. You are welcome to the largest party in the black race. Honourable Zakari Dauda Nyampa is also moving from PDP to APC,” he said.
Several lawmakers also announced their departure from opposition parties to join the ADC.
One of them, Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe, formally notified the House of his decision to move from the YPP to ADC.
“Mr. Ifeanyi is defecting from YPP to ADC. He is notifying the house. The house is hereby notified,” Kalu said.
Similarly, Bright Iyamu Jesse Oke Onakpasa announced his resignation from the Labour Party to join the ADC.
“We have Honourable Bright Iyamu Jesse Oke Onakpasa, who is resigning from Labour Party to ADC. No clapping in Congress, please,” the Deputy Speaker stated.
Kalu also disclosed that Shuaib Abiola Sowunmi had resigned from the Labour Party and would be joining the ADC, although he was not present in the chamber at the time.
“There is also a notification of resignation from Labour Party and a movement into ADC. This is coming from Honourable Shuaib Abiola Sowunmi. He is not in the house now, but we will announce it when he is present,” he said.
Other lawmakers recognised during the session included Murphy Osaro Omoruyi, Jafaru Yakubu, Prince Sadiq Abbas Tafida, Victor Afam Ogene, Kafilat Ogbara, Peter Udo Udofia, Professor Obi Lilian Orogbu, Barrister Mohammed Bello Shehu, Dankawu Idris, Hassan Shehu Hussaini, Muhammad Ghali Tijjani and Jimbo Ibrahim.
However, the Deputy Speaker clarified that formal ceremonial announcements of their defections would only be made when they were physically present in the chamber.
Kalu emphasised that although the resignation letters had been received by the House, official announcements would not be completed in the absence of the lawmakers involved.
“It’s treated as received, but the ceremonial announcement will be made when they’re in the house. They have to be here so they don’t deny it tomorrow,” he said.
Concluding the announcement, Kalu described the development as part of ongoing political realignments within the National Assembly.
“This is a clear demonstration of political realignment, and we welcome all lawmakers into their new parties. It reflects the will of the people and the ongoing changes in our political system,” he said.
(Naija News)
