Reps David Abel and Ephraim Nwuzi from Taraba and Rivers State respectively have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Their defection was announced by the Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila during plenary on Wednesday.
Both lawmakers cited reasons for their defections to an admiration of the Speaker’s leadership style, adding that they made the move after due consultation with their constituents.
Rivers and Taraba States are both regarded as PDP strongholds.
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The decision of both lawmakers didn’t go down well prominent members of the opposition including the minority leader, Ndudi Elumelu and leader of the PDP caucus Kingsley Chinda as they called on the speaker to declare seats of the defectors vacant.
Responding, Mr Gbajabiamila urged the opposition to “go to court if they feel dissatisfied.”
The speaker went on to describe members of the opposition as hypocrites, adding that their call would have carried weight if the PDP laid a solid foundation of sanctioning illegal defections while in power.
He said, “Like you used to tell me, your points are noted. Any more defections?”
