Two members of the House of Representatives, Peter Akpanke and Paul Nnamchi, on Tuesday officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further bolstering the strength of the ruling party in the Green Chamber.
The lawmakers, who were elected under the platforms of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) respectively, announced their switch during plenary. Their letters of defection were read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who subsequently congratulated them.
Who Defected?
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Peter Akpanke: Represented Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara Federal Constituency of Cross River State under the PDP.
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Paul Nnamchi: Represented Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency of Enugu State under the LP.
Why They Defected:
Both lawmakers blamed their departure on internal crises and factionalism within their former parties. They also expressed a desire to align with President Bola Tinubu’s administration and support the Federal Government’s programmes.
Their move drew applause from APC lawmakers in the chamber, signaling political momentum for the ruling party.
The defections come amid rising tension and restructuring within opposition parties, particularly the PDP and LP, both of which have battled leadership tussles, internal divisions, and post-election realignments.
The latest shift is expected to spark further debates around party discipline and the increasing trend of political cross-carpeting in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
