Abiola Makinde, a member of the House of Representatives, has defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
This was announced on Tuesday, February 23, via the official Twitter handle of the lower legislative chamber.
#HousePlenary
A Bill that seeks to establish the Federal College of Agricultural Produce Technology, Kano has passed second reading and referred to the Committee on Agriculture Colleges and Institutions for further legislative action.— House of Reps NGR (@HouseNGR) February 23, 2021
Anaedoonline.ng gathers that Abiola Makinde said he decided to join the ruling APC following alleged irreconcilable differences and crises in the ADC.
The new APC member is the lawmaker representing Ondo East and West in the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, The Nation reported that Makinde’s defection was opposed by members of the minority caucus in the House.
Hon. Ossai Nicholas Ossai who spoke on behalf of the minority caucus said Makinde’s defection is unconstitutional and urged the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, to declare the seat vacant.
Ossai, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Delta state, argued that the person defecting from the party that sponsored his election must present evidence of why he was defecting, according to the constitution.
In his response, Gbajabiamila defended the new APC member with a counter-argument and ruled the PDP lawmaker out of order.
