ABUJA—The reinvigorated Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, yesterday, reaped no fewer than 20 defectors and became the fourth force in the National Assembly.
Currently, it has overtaken the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the House of Representatives and is pursuing the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, closely, in terms of National Assembly slots. The All Progressives Congress, APC, is leading all the opposition parties with a very wide gap.
Abaribe, Abia South, dumped the ADC for Labour Party, LP. Also Senator Victor Umeh, Anambra Central, defected from the ADC to NDC, while the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Rufai Hanga, Kano Central, joined NDC from the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP.Defections of Umeh and Hanga, increased the number of serving Senators on NDC’s platform from one to three, including the founder, Senator Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa West, who defected to it on March 31.
The latest wave of defections has made the current configuration of the 109-member Senate to be APC-88, ADC-8, PDP-4, NDC-3, APGA-1, Accord-1, and Vacant-4.The four vacant seats are those of Enugu North, Nasarawa North, Rivers South-East and Ondo South due to three deaths and one resignation following ambassadorial appointment.In the House of Representatives, no fewer than 18 lawmakers formally announced their exit from the ADC. While 17 joined the NDC, one went to the APC during plenary, citing internal crises within their former party.
The move leaves the APC with 260 Reps, PDP-38, LP 21, NDC-17, NNPP-14, APGA-5, and others-4. The figures are changing rapidly and may continue to vary until May 10, when parties are expected to submit their membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.The defectors, who cut across Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo and Rivers states, read separate letters on the floor of the House, attributing their decision to what they described as “unresolved crises from the national to ward levels” in the ADC.
Among those who defected is Yusuf Umar Datti, representing Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam Federal Constituency of Kano State, who said the lingering instability within the ADC had made it difficult to effectively serve his constituents.
Similarly, Harris Okonkwo, who represents Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, said the decision was taken after “wide consultations with political stakeholders and constituents.”Other lawmakers who moved from ADC to NDC include Sani Adamu (Minjibir/Ungogo, Kano); Thaddeus Attah (Eti-Osa, Lagos); Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi (Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia, Anambra); Lilian Obiageli (Awka North/Awka South, Anambra); and Oluwaseyi Sowunmi (Ojo, Lagos).Also, among the defectors are Peter Anekwe (Anambra East/West); Zakari Umar Mukhtari (Tarauni, Kano); George Olawande (Amuwo Odofin, Lagos); Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (Egor/Ikpoba-Okha, Edo); Umezuruike Munachim (Port Harcourt I, Rivers); Emeka Idu (Onitsha North/South, Anambra); Jesse Onuakalusi (Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos); Ifeanyi Uzokwe (Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo, Anambra); Afam Ogene (Ogbaru, Anambra); and Kamilu Ado (Wudil/Garko, Kano).
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