Twenty-four members of the Akwa Ibom house of assembly has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
There are only two lawmakers who remain in the PDP, according Udeme Otong, speaker of the house.
Otong announced the defection of the 24 members of the house during the plenary session on Tuesday.
He said the two lawmakers who are still in the PDP are Sunday Johnny (Onna state constituency) and Uduakobong Ekpo-Ufot (Etinan state constituency).
The two are said to be loyalists of Udom Emmanuel, the former governor who has maintained silence since governor Umo Eno, his successor, defected to the APC.
The speaker cited the leadership crisis in the PDP as the reason behind the defection.
Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 constitution, which permits elected officials to defect in situations of internal party crisis, was cited by the lawmakers according to Otong.
“It is upon this constitutional provision that I have weighed your written submissions,” he said.
“You have each indicated that your defection is not out of political convenience or self-interest but arises from a demonstrable division within the national leadership of the PDP.
“A division which, by your account, has affected party cohesion, disrupted policy direction, and hindered your ability to function as an effective lawmaker.
“Let me state here that this House remains a symbol of democracy, and it is our collective responsibility to uphold the integrity of the legislative institution.”
The speaker urged all lawmakers to remain focused on their legislative responsibilities regardless of party affiliation.
A motion to adopt the speaker’s remarks and the defection letters was moved by Lawrence Udoide (Ini) and seconded by Bassey Bassey (Okobo).
