In a significant political shift, two members of the House of Representatives elected under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing unresolved internal conflicts within their former party.
Husseini Mohammed Jallo, representing Igabi Federal Constituency, Kaduna State, and Adamu Tanko, representing Suleja/Tafa/Gurara Federal Constituency, Niger State, announced their defections in a letter presented to the House and read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during Tuesday’s plenary session.
Explaining his decision, Jallo pointed to persistent crises within the PDP, which he claimed had hampered his ability to serve his constituents effectively. He lauded the leadership of the Speaker and emphasized that the APC provides a more stable and cohesive platform for his political aspirations.
Similarly, Adamu Tanko stated that after extensive consultations with his constituents, he chose to align with the APC to better represent their interests.
The defections triggered immediate reactions from opposition lawmakers, with Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda citing a Supreme Court ruling on party defections. He argued that the lawmakers had not met the legal conditions for cross-carpeting and insisted that they should vacate their seats.
Supporting this stance, Deputy Minority Leader Ali Isa JC urged the defectors to either withdraw their letters or resign and seek fresh mandates through by-elections. He dismissed claims of an internal PDP crisis, asserting that the party remains a strong and united opposition force.
The latest defections reflect ongoing political realignments within the National Assembly as the ruling APC continues to strengthen its influence ahead of future elections.
