Two members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Speaker of the House, Right Hon Tajudeen Abbas, announced their defections during the plenary.
The defectors are Hon. Jallo Mohammed, Igabi federal constituency , Kaduna state, and Adamu Tanko, Gurara/Suleja/Tapa, Niger state.
Mohammed and Tanko blamed their action on the “party’s crisis and internal divisions”.
The lawmakers claimed that the crisis in the opposition party is preventing them from fulfilling their duties to their constituents.l1
“This unfortunate turn of events has left me with no choice but to seek a more stable political platform through which I can better serve the interests and aspirations of my constituents,” Mohammed wrote.
“Furthermore, I have been inspired by your (Abbas) excellent and exemplary leadership.
“Your dedication to national unity, good governance, and legislative excellence has convinced me that the All Progressives Congress is the appropriate platform to further my legislative and constituency development agenda.
“I acknowledge and appreciate the support I have received from colleagues in the PDP over the years.
“Nevertheless, the current challenges besetting the party made it untenable for me to continue under the present circumstances.”
Similarly, Tanko said he joined the APC after “careful consideration and consultation with my constituents”.
However, Kingsley Chinda, the House Minority Leader, protested the defection, saying there was no proof of crisis in the party.