Kebbi Rep Dumps PDP For APC Amid Party Crisis
For the second time in two days, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has lost a member of the House of Representatives to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Salisu Garba Koko, representing Koko/Besse/Mayama Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, announced his defection in a letter read at plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.
He cited a “protracted crisis” within the PDP as the reason for his move to the APC.
However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda dismissed Koko’s claims, arguing that internal challenges exist in all political parties.
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He accused defectors of using party crises as mere excuses to switch allegiances.
Chinda called on the Speaker to declare Koko’s seat—and those of all defectors—vacant, insisting they should seek fresh mandates from their constituents.
Ben Etanebene of the Labour Party (LP) also questioned whether defectors would return to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to amend their certificates of return, which bear their original party affiliation.
He supported the call for vacant seat declarations, stressing that the Constitution makes it mandatory.
In response, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen stated that only the courts have the power to declare a legislator’s seat vacant.
He assured the House that it would act in accordance with the content of the defection letters submitted.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
