Abuja, Nigeria
In a significant political shake-up, seven members of the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State have defected from the opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers, previously elected on the platforms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP), announced their defection in separate letters addressed to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, during Thursday’s plenary session.
The defectors include Unyime Idem, Martin Esin, Paul Ekpo, Uduak Alphonsos, Eteh Ikpong, Emmanuel Udom and Okon Bassey.
Their decision to join the APC follows closely on the heels of the recent defection of the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, from the PDP to the ruling party. The moves are widely seen as part of a broader realignment within the state’s political landscape.
While the specific reasons for their defection were not detailed in the letters, sources within the National Assembly suggest that ongoing internal disagreements within the PDP and YPP, along with strategic positioning ahead of future elections, may have influenced the lawmakers’ decisions.
The APC leadership has welcomed the defectors, describing their move as a boost to the party’s strength in the South-South region. Analysts say the development may significantly alter the balance of political power in Akwa Ibom State, which has traditionally been a PDP stronghold.
As of press time, neither the PDP nor the YPP had issued official statements in response to the defections.