The ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives was further depleted on Tuesday following the defection of three lawmakers from Kaduna state to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Those who announced their defection include Hon. Aliyu Abdullahi (Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency), Hon. Abdulkareem Ahmed (Kaduna South Federal Constituency), and Hon. Sadiq Abdullahi (Sabon Gari Federal Constituency).
Their letters of defection were read on the floor of the House by Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, during plenary.
In a rare show of political solidarity, Kaduna state governor, Senator Uba Sani, was physically present in the chamber to witness the formal crossover of the lawmakers to the APC.
The defection of the lawmakers is seen by some observers as a signal of the APC’s growing consolidation in the North-West.
The lawmakers attributed their decision leave the PDP to what they described as a lingering crisis within the party, which according to them, had eroded internal cohesion and rendered the party ineffective as an opposition platform.
However, their defection did not go unchallenged.
House Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, raised a point of order, arguing that the constitution does not support defections unless there is a division in the political party.
“You could have some crisis, but that does not amount to division in the party,” Chinda contended, urging the presiding officer to declare their seats vacant.
Kalu, while acknowledging the point of order, declined to act on it, effectively allowing the defections to stand.
The development is the latest in a string of high-profile defections from the PDP in recent months.
Political analysts observed that the wave of defections underscores the deepening internal wrangling within the PDP and may further complicate its efforts to reposition itself ahead the 2027 general elections.
