Zamfara rep defects from PDP to APC over ‘unresolved crisis’

Sulaiman Abubakar, 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 Abubakar’s defection in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Wednesday.

Abubakar represents Gummi/Bukkuyum federal constituency of Zamfara state.

The legislator attributed his switch to the “lingering and unresolved internal and external crisis” within the PDP.

He said the PDP has two chairmen in his constituency.

“One was unconstitutionally removed while the other decamped with me,” Abubakar’s letter reads.

“Hence, the party lacks structure in my constituency and this has made it impossible for me to provide good representation and prompt delivery of dividends of democracy to my constituency.”

Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, is a member of the PDP.

Kingsley Chinda, minority leader of the house, protested the defection by raising a point of order.

He said section 68 of the constitution allows lawmakers to dump the party that sponsored their election if there is a crisis in that party.

His point of order was dismissed by the speaker.

Abubakar is the second lawmaker to defect from the PDP to the APC this month.

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