How PDP, LP, others lost 67 Reps’ seats to APC

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The majority All Progressives Congress, APC, in the House of Representatives has gained 67 seats from defection of members elected on other parties since the inauguration of the National Assembly on the 10th Assembly July 2023.

The lawmakers began cross carpeting to the ruling party in 2024.

This was revealed in an analysis by Akin Rotimi, the spokesperson for the House following the defection of four members of the opposition to the Majority Caucus earlier in the week.

The four lawmakers who are all from Rivers State were identified as Rep. Manuchim Umezuruike (LP – Port Harcourt I Federal Constituency), Rep. Boniface Emerengwa (PDP – Emohua/Ikwerre Federal Constituency), Rep. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante (PDP – Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency), and Rep. Boma Goodhead (PDP – AkukuToru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency).

The lawmakers cited leadership crises as reason for abandoning their parties to join the APC.

However, Rotimi noted that the defection of the four lawmakers brough the total number of lawmakers that have changed parties since the inauguration of the National Assembly in July 2023 to 68.

“Of this number, 67 members have joined the Majority Caucus, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has gained one seat. The opposition bloc has seen substantial losses since the trend of cross-carpeting began in July 2024”

Analysis of the defection further revealed that the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have lost 45 seat while the Labour Party has lost 14 seats in the gale of the defections.

Also, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have lost five seats, Young Progressives Party (YPP), two seats while African Democratic Congress (ADC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have each lost one seat

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are the only parties in the current Assembly yet to lose any seat to defection.

The lawmakers usually cite divisions and leadership crises in their parties as the reasons for their defection.

Some have also cited their desire to support President Bola Tinubu’s led federal government’s efforts in national development as the basis they left their parties for the ruling party.