Five Reps Defect from YPP, LP to ADC
Twelve members of the House of Representatives have defected from the Labour Party (LP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker of the House, read the defection notices during plenary on Thursday.
Three lawmakers from Anambra State — Victor Afam (Ogbaru federal constituency), Peter Anekwe (Anambra East/Anambra West federal constituency), and Lilian Obiageli (Awka North/Awka South federal constituency) — defected from the LP to the ADC.
Peter Uzokwe, representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo federal constituency in Anambra, moved from the YPP to the ADC, while Omoruyi Osaro (Egor/Ikpoba-Okha federal constituency, Edo) also joined the ADC after leaving the LP.
Zakaria Nyampa, who represents Michika/Madagali federal constituency of Adamawa State, defected from the PDP to the APC.
Other lawmakers who left the PDP for the APC include Mohammed Bargaja (Isa/Sabon Birni federal constituency, Sokoto), James Barka (Gombi/Hong federal constituency, Adamawa), Kobis Thimnu (Guyuk/Shelleng federal constituency, Adamawa), Bitrus Kwamoti (Demsa/Numan/Lamurde federal constituency, Adamawa), and Midala Balami (Askira-Uba/Hawul federal constituency, Borno).
Jesse Onuakalusi, representing Oshodi-Isolo II federal constituency of Lagos State, also defected from the LP to the APC.
The lawmakers cited internal crises within their former parties as the reason for their defections.
The latest moves further reduce the number of PDP and LP lawmakers in the House of Representatives.
On Wednesday, four members of the House also defected from the PDP and LP to the APC.