Abia lawmaker named SEDC Chairman moments after dumping PDP for APC

Rep. Chris Nkwonta, representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in Abia State, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following his defection, Nkwonta was appointed as Chairman of the newly formed House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the lawmaker’s defection but did not provide specific reasons for Nkwonta’s switch to the APC.

While members of the ruling party warmly welcomed him, Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano) raised a point of order, calling for Nkwonta’s seat to be declared vacant, citing Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution.

Madaki argued that a lawmaker can only defect from their party if there is a crisis within the party on whose platform they were elected.

However, Speaker Abbas dismissed the motion, stating that based on the information he received, there is a faction within the PDP, justifying Nkwonta’s defection.

In the same session, other key committee chairmen were announced, including Rep. Timehin Adelegbe as Chairman of the Committee on Science Research Institutions, Rep. Kabiru Ahmadi Mai Palace as Chairman of the Committee on Sports,