The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday lost two of its members in the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Husseini Jallo, representing Igabi Federal Constituency, Kaduna State and Adamu Tanko, representing Suleja/Tara/Gurara Federal Constituency, Niger State identified what they called the perennial crisis in the PDP as the reason for their defection.
In a letter read by Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary, Jallo said the lingering instability in the opposition party had hindered his ability to serve his constituents effectively.
“Mr Speaker, your leadership style and my belief in the principle of national unity was taken into consideration while taking this decision,” he said, stressing that he found the APC as an attractive platform to further his political career in the service of his constituency.
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Jallo becomes the second PDP lawmaker from Kaduna to defect in recent weeks, following the exit of Amos Magaji.
Similarly, Tanko said his decision followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders in his constituency.
While raising a point of order, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, said the opposition members in the House will continue to make calls that the seats by those who dumped the political parties that sponsored them for another platform be declared vacant.
He drew attention to the judgment of the Supreme Court which says that defection of any member must be complete, adding that there is no evidence before the House suggesting that the members have done the right thing and carry out their defection properly.
On his part, Deputy Minority Leader, Ali Isa, said the issue of defection must be taken seriously, adding that the two members should withdraw their letters of defection or face litigation.
“The PDP remains very strong both as a party as well as an opposition,” he said, adding that “there is no crisis in the PDP.
“The defecting members must take the part of honour by resigning their position and go back to their people to face a fresh election,” he added.
