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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
Seven lawmakers in the House of Representatives comprising six members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one member of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The seven defected lawmakers from the two parties are from Akwa Ibom State.
They announced their defections, in separate letters to the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, which were read at plenary, yesterday.
The defected members include Unyime Idem, Martin Esin, Paul Ekpo, Uduak Alphonsos, Eteh Ikpong, Emmanuel Udom and Okon Bassey.
The lawmakers said they were joining the APC because of an alleged crisis in the political parties on which they were elected into the parliament.
The defection of the Akwa Ibom lawmakers followed the defection of the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, from the PDP to the ruling party. Governor Eno recently defected to the APC with some members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, as well as, commissioners and other PDP stalwarts in the state.
The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, while reacting to the lawmakers’ defection, said while Section 40 of 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees them the right to association, it must be in accordance with Section 68(1) (g) of the constitution.
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Chinda noted that the Supreme Court had already ruled on the meaning of division in a political party, noting that it is not correct for anyone to say there is division in the PDP.
“Under Section 40 of our constitution, every citizen, including parliamentarians, have the right to peaceful assembly and association and the right to choose the political party that they wish to belong to.
“Therefore, while our colleagues are enjoying these rights this morning, we also want to say that there are conditions and consequences that follow these rights. So, the Constitution has also provided in Section 68(1g) the consequences when you choose to enjoy this right under Section 40 of the constitution.
“And let me put it on record that where there is division within a party, the highest court of the land has interpreted what that means. And as we speak today, it will be unlawful, out of place and inappropriate to conclude that the Peoples Democratic Party is divided in the eyes of the law.
“If you look at the judgement of the Supreme Court Mr. Speaker, having said so, I would, therefore, urge you to act in line with the constitutional provision in section 68(1g).”
Nonetheless, Abbas, while ruling on the point of order, said: “Your point of order is noted, leader. And I’m sure members have heard you. We will see how it goes.”
