Three members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday announced their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further weakening the main opposition party’s presence in the lower chamber.
The defectors are Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro (Ife Federal Constituency, Osun State), Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya (Atakunmosa/Ilesa Federal Constituency, Osun State), and Markus Onobun (Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, Edo State).
Onobun, who was the only PDP lawmaker from Edo State in the 10th Assembly, said he was leaving the party due to persistent internal crises.
He added that his decision followed extensive consultations and that he was joining the APC to support Governor Monday Okpebholo in the development of Edo State.
In separate letters read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary, Ajilesoro and Olusanya also cited the unresolved crisis within the PDP as their reason for defection.
They said their move to the APC was in support of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and commitment to national development.
However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda objected to the defections, urging the Speaker to exercise his constitutional discretion and declare the seats of the defecting lawmakers vacant. Chinda said that while such objections had become repetitive, it was important to formally record their stance.
In response, Speaker Tajudeen acknowledged the observation, saying, “Your observation is noted.”
The national secretary of the APC, Senator Bashiru Ajibola, was present at the House to receive the new members into the party.
