SAN FRANCISCO, December 18, 2013, (THEWILL) – The All Progressives Congress (APC) now has the majority in the House of Representatives with the defection of thirty Seven (37) members of the House elected on the platform of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the party.
The party is however still short of seven (7) members to reach the 181 simple majority needed to fully take control of the House.
In a letter jointly signed by the representatives and addressed to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, the lawmakers blamed their decision on the crisis and division within the PDP, while they cited the relevant section of the constitution to back their action.
The representatives are those from Kano, Sokoto, Bauchi, Kwara, Rivers, Katsina and Adamawa States.
THEWILL recalls that five state governors elected under the platform of the PDP had earlier decamped to the APC. The Governors are those of Rivers, Kano, Kwara, Sokoto and Adamawa States.
UPDATE:
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and his deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, are currently embattled as the crisis in their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a worrying turn Wednesday with 37 PDP lawmakers in the House formally defecting to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), thereby giving the APC a simple majority.
Others whose positions are threatened by this defection include the Majority Leader, Hon. Mulikat Akande-Adeola; Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Leo Ogor; and the Chief Whip, Hon. Ishaku Bawa.
Tambuwal is the only lawmaker from Sokoto State who did not defect on Wednesday .
THEWILL reliably gathered that more PDP lawmakers may defect to the APC early in the new year thereby paving way for a change in the leadership of the House.
The lawmakers from Kano, Rivers, Sokoto, Kwara, Bauchi and Katsina States abandoned the PDP explaining that the party was factionalised and in crisis.
The APC, which hitherto had 135 members now has 172 as against the PDP’s 171. The Labour Party, APGA, Accord party and DPP holds the remaining numbers. There are 360 members in the House.
Speaker Tambuwal who announced the defection read a letter written and signed by the 37 members dated December, 18, 2013, titled: Communication of Change of Political Party, and addressed to the Speaker.
Tambuwal called all the defecting members who responded and were celebrated by other APC members on the floor.
The 37 lawmakers stated in the letter that their action was as a result of the crisis in the PDP and in line with the provision of section 68(1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution. Tambuwal took a roll call of the defecting members and were welcomed by the APC leaders.
A breakdown of the defectors shows that 11 are from Kano; Sokoto 10 ; Rivers 8 ; Kwara 6 ; and one each from Bauchi and Katsina States.
With this development, 23 out of the 24 lawmakers from Kano; 10 out of 11 from Sokoto (except Speaker Tambuwal), eight out of 13 from Rivers, all the six from Kwara, five out of 12 from Bauchi and 13 out of 15 from Katsina now belong to the APC.
The defecting members from Kano are : Nasiru Sule, Ahmad Zarewa, Aliyu Sani Madaki, Bashir Babale, Alhassan Ado Dogon, Munir Dangyadi, Aminu Suleiman, Abdulmumin Jibril, Musa Ado, Mustapha Bala and Muhtari M.C ; Sokoto: Kabiru Marafa Achida, Aminu Shehu Shagari, Isa Salihu Bashir, Abdullahi Mohammed Wamakko, Saalu Mohammed Nabunkari, Aliyu Shehu, Shuaibu Gwandu Gobir, Musa Sarkin Adar, Abdullahi Balarabe Salame and Umar Bature; Rivers: Andrew Uchendu, Asita Honourable, Sokonte Davies, Dakuku Peterside, Mpigi Barinada, Pronen Maurice, Dawari George and Ogbonna Nwuke; Kwara: Ali Ahmad, Zakari Mohammed, Ahman Pategi, Rafiu Ibrahim, Mustapha Mashood and Aiyedokun Akeem; Katsina (Nasiru Sani Zagon Daura; Bauchi: (Yakubu Dogara).
The letter read: “We the underlisted members of the House of Representatives elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), wish to inform you that we have joined the All Progressive Congress (APC).
“This action is as a result of the division/faction in the political party that sponsored our election into the House of Representatives. (See House Resolution No. HR/36/2013, vide votes and proceedings of Tuesday, 17 September, 2013 as attached).
“Furthermore, we write to inform you that following this division, the faction of the PDP, which we belong to, has formally merged with the All Progressive Congress, APC.
“This communication is made pursuant to section 68 (1) (g) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, for your information, guidance and records please.”
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