Another PDP rep defects to APC, cites protracted crisis

Garba Koko, a member of the house of representatives, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced Koko’s defection in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Wednesday.

Koko represents Besse/Maiyama Yema federal constituency of Kebbi state.

The legislator said he resolved to dump the PDP over the “prolonged and protracted” crisis in the party.

However, Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader, countered Koko, saying there is no protracted crisis in the PDP.

“It is important to correct the erroneous impression. There is no protracted problem in PDP,” he said.

Chinda said all political parties in the country, including the APC and Labour Party (LP), have one form of internal wrangling or the other.

He asked the speaker to declare the seat of the defected lawmaker vacant in line with section 68 of the 1999 constitution which outlines the conditions under which a member can lose their seat.

“The house should implement the constitution by declaring the seat vacant. Let us not continue to set a bad precedent,” he said.

Responding, Abbas said only the court has such powers.

The defection comes about 24 hours after Amos Magaji from Kaduna announced his defection from the PDP to the APC.

In recent weeks, a number of lawmakers have defected from the PDP and LP to the APC.

On October 2, Chris Nkwonta, who represents Ukwa east/Ukwa west federal constituency of Abia state, left the PDP for APC.

On October 30, Sulaiman Abubakar, who represents Gummi/Bukkuyum federal constituency of Zamfara, ditched the PDP for the APC.

On December 5, four LP members and one PDP lawmaker in the green chamber defected to the APC.