A Photo File of The House of Reps Green Chamber

The Peoples Democratic Party caucus in the House of Representatives on Wednesday lost three of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The defectors, two from Osun and one from Edo State, cited what they called the internal strife in the leadership of the PDP.

The lawmakers who announced their defection during plenary are Taofeek Ajilesoro (Ife Central/Ife East/Ife North), Emmanuel Olusanya (Atakunmosa West/Atakunmosa East/Ilesha East), both from Osun State, and Marcus Onobun (Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben) from Edo State.

Apart from leadership crisis, the defectors also highlighted the need to align forces with President Bola Tinubu to deliver the dividends of democracy to their respective constituents.

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas officially welcomed the lawmakers into the APC, with several APC members offering congratulatory handshakes and expressing support for their legislative efforts.

However, raising a point of order, House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, urged the Speaker to invoke Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which addresses the issue of defection.

He said, “This will sound like a broken record, but it is better that I say this and it is on record. Exercise the constitutional provision of Section 68 (1) (g) and do the right thing.”

Responding, the Speaker said, “Minority Leader, your point of order is noted.”