The member representing Jos South and East Federal Constituency Alfred Illiya Ajang has defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Gatekeepers News reports that this was disclosed in a letter read by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, during plenary on Thursday.
The now-defected member claimed that the crisis in the Labour Party was the reason for his defection.
The House was thrown into a rowdy session as some lawmakers raised eyebrows over the content of the letter.
Lending his voice, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda says the letter is not in accordance with the constitution of the House and as such should be rejected.
Meanwhile, a former Minister of Labour and Employment and now serving senator Simon Lalong was at the House of Representatives complex to witness the defection and give support to his colleague.
The House had earlier suspended its rules to admit Lalong representing Plateau South senatorial district.
His defection from the LP to the ruling APC adds to the swelling number of federal lawmakers dumping one of Nigeria’s main opposition parties.
A few days back, another lawmaker Dalyop Chollom representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency dumped the LP for the APC. He cited the crisis in the party as his reason.
Some weeks back, four members of the House of Representatives dumped the LP for the ruling party, citing squabbles in the Labour Party.
