Citizenship News
Six members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers include Dumnamere Dekor (Khana/Gokana federal constituency), Hon. Solomon Bob (Abua/Odual and Ahoada East Federal Constituency) and Hon. Hart Cyril (Degema/Bonny Federal Constituency).
Others are Hon. Victor Obuzor (Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema/Ndoni federal constituency), Hon. Blessing Amadi (Port Harcourt II Federal Constituency) and Hon. Felix Nweke (Eleme/Oyigbo/Tai Federal Constituency).
The defection of the PDP lawmakers was witnessed by some APC national officers, including Victor Gaidam, national vice-chairman (South-South), Felix Morka, national spokesperson, Dayo Israel, National Youth Leader, and Ajibola Basiru, National Secretary.
After the Speaker had a group photograph with the Rivers State lawmakers, the Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. Ali Isa, moved a motion asking Abbas to declare their seats vacant in line with the provision of section 68 (1g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
On his part, Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, also protested against the defection ceremony.
He argued that the ceremony should be expunged from the Votes and Proceedings of the day’s plenary, noting that no laws require lawmakers to announce their defection on the floor of the parliament.
“Go to your ward and defect,” he said.
However, Speaker Tajudeen, who declined to rule on the objections, said: “Your observations are noted.”
It would be recalled that earlier last week, four Rivers members had defected to the APC.
The lawmakers are Umezuruike Manuchim, member representing Port Harcourt I federal constituency, who defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC.
The PDP members who defected to the ruling party are: Hon. Boniface Emerengwa, member representing Ikwerre/Emohua federal constituency; Hon. Awaji-Inombek Abiante, member representing Opobo/Nkoro/Andoni federal constituency, and Hon. Boma Goodhead, member representing Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru federal constituency, respectively.
With the defection, the PDP now has only three members from Rivers in the House of Representatives: the Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda; Hon. Kenneth Chikere (Port Harcourt 1 federal constituency and Hon. Kelechi Nwogu, member representing Etche/Omuma federal Constituency.
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