House Representative Garba Koko defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
He believes that the long-lasting crisis within the PDP is the reason for his departure.
Naija News Reporting the House Speaker Tajudon Abbasannounced Coco’s defection Wednesday, reading a letter from the MP on the floor of the lower legislative chamber. Koko stands for the Besse/Maiyama Yema Federal Constituency of Kebbi State.
Minority leaders defected at the counter and claimed compensation
However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda quickly rejected Koko’s claim, insisting that there was no prolonged crisis within the PDP.
“It is important to correct the wrong impression. There is no protracted problem in PDP,” he said. Chinda said.
He further argued that all parties in Nigeria, including the APC and the Labor Party (LP), faced internal entanglement, describing Koko’s reasons as unfounded.
Chinda urged a spokesperson to declare a vacant seat in Koko under Article 68 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the conditions for lawmakers to lose seats after defection.
“The House should implement the Constitution by declaring seat vacancy. Let’s not continue to set bad precedents,” Chinda said.
In response, Abbas ruled that only the court has the right to declare the seats of members of parliament.
National Assembly’s Defection Trend
Koko’s defection was only 24 hours after Amos Magaji from Kaduna also left PDP for APC. His move is part of a growing trend for lawmakers to shift their loyalty to the ruling party.
Several lawmakers have defected from PDP and LP to APC in recent months:
October 2: Chris Nkwonta (UKWA East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, ABIA) leaves PDP for APC.
October 30: Suliman (Suliman) defects from PDP to APC.
December 5: Four Labor MPs and a PDP legislator also joined the APC.
