Chris Nkwonta, a member of the House of Representatives, has switched political allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gatekeepers News reports that this announcement was made by Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker of the House, during a session in the green chamber.
Nkwonta represents the Ukwa east/Ukwa west federal constituency of Abia state.
The announcement was met with applause from APC legislators, although Aliyu Madaki, the deputy minority leader of the house, objected to the defection.
Madaki cited section 68 of the constitution, stating that a lawmaker can only change parties if there is a crisis within their original party. However, Abbas ruled Madaki’s point out of order, arguing that there is indeed a crisis within the PDP.
“The information available to me shows there is a faction,” the speaker said.
Abbas subsequently announced Nkwonta as the chairman of the house committee on the South East Development Commission.
