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DEFECTION TO APC CONTINUES IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH ENUGU LAWMAKERS
a month ago
With these defections, Enugu lawmakers hope to attract more federal projects, jobs, better infrastructure, and empowerment for their constituents.
Reports indicate a wave of defections with multiple members of the House of Representatives from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other opposition parties defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is a major political development in the Nigerian legislature. The defections significantly strengthen the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), giving it a commanding majority in the House of Representatives.
The core defection from Enugu State caucus is the most significant part of the defection involves members of the House of Representatives from the state.
Five lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one from the Labour Party (LP) defected. The defection essentially meant the entire Enugu State caucus in the House of Representatives formally crossed over.
Hon. Nnolim John Nnaji, Leader of the Enugu Caucus, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, Hon. Oke Martins, Hon. Mark Chidiebere Obetta and Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo were the named defectors.
In addition to the Enugu State contingent, another lawmaker, from the Jos North/Bassa Federal Constituency, Plateau State, Hon. Daniel Asama from Labour Party (LP), also defected.
Why are Lawmakers Defecting?
The lawmakers cited a number of reasons for their move. Intractable internal crises is the primary reason cited. Unresolved internal crisis is eating their former opposition parties (PDP and LP) up from within.
They expressed the need to align Enugu State with the ruling party at the Federal level, the “Center.”
More so, they stated that the decision was influenced by a desire to align with the “project-oriented administration” and “visionary leadership” of the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah.
Gov. Mbah is also now aligned with the developmental agenda of the APC.
With these defections, the ruling APC has now secured a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives. This is a crucial number that allows the party to pass significant legislation with little opposition resistance and strengthens the President’s position in the legislature.
The defections deal a major blow to the opposition parties, particularly the PDP and LP, further shrinking their representation in the National Assembly.
This wave of defections was formally announced by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas. He read the lawmakers’ letters of resignation from their former parties during plenary today.
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