Another Rep Member Garba Koko dumps PDP for APC amid party crisis

A member of the House of Representatives, Garba Koko, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection was announced by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Wednesday after Koko’s letter was read on the floor of the House.

Koko, who represents Besse/Maiyama Yema Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, said he decided to leave the PDP due to the “prolonged and protracted crisis” within the party.

However, Kingsley Chinda, the Minority Leader, challenged Koko’s claim, insisting that the PDP has no such crisis.

“It is important to correct this erroneous impression. There is no protracted problem in PDP,” Chinda said, arguing that all political parties, including APC and Labour Party (LP), face internal challenges.

He then called on the Speaker to declare Koko’s seat vacant in line with Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates conditions under which a lawmaker can lose their seat.

“The House should implement the constitution by declaring the seat vacant. Let us not continue to set a bad precedent,” Chinda stated.

However, Speaker Abbas responded, saying that only the courts have the power to remove a sitting lawmaker.

Wave of Defections to APC Continues

Koko’s defection comes just a day after Amos Magaji from Kaduna also moved from PDP to APC.

In recent months, several lawmakers have dumped PDP and LP for APC.

October 2, 2024: Chris Nkwonta (Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency, Abia State) defected from PDP to APC.

October 30, 2024: Sulaiman Abubakar (Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency, Zamfara) left PDP for APC.

December 5, 2024: Four LP lawmakers and one PDP member in the Green Chamber defected to APC.

With these recent developments, APC continues to strengthen its hold on the National Assembly as opposition parties struggle with internal crises.