Four members of the House of Representatives of Nigeria have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party Nigeria (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers include Inuwa Garuba, representing Yamaltu/Deba federal constituency of Gombe State; Abdullahi El-Rasheed, who represents Dakku/Nafada federal constituency of the same state; and Mohammed Audu, representing Karim Lamido/Lau/Ardo-Kola federal constituency in Taraba State. The trio moved from the PDP to the APC.
Also defecting to the APC is Obika Chinedu, the lawmaker representing Abuja Municipal/Bwari federal constituency in the Federal Capital Territory, who left the Labour Party.
In a separate development, Adewale Adebayo, who represents Irepodun/Olorunda/Osogbo/Orolu federal constituency of Osun State, resigned from the PDP and joined the Accord Party Nigeria.
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the defections during Wednesday’s plenary session after reading the letters submitted by the lawmakers.
According to the legislators, the decision to leave their former parties was driven by unresolved internal disputes and divisions.
The PDP has been facing a prolonged leadership crisis that has split the party into two rival camps.
One faction, led by Kabiru Turaki, enjoys the backing of Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo State, and Bala Mohammed, governor of Bauchi State.
The opposing faction is headed by Abdulrahman Mohammed and is supported by Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
