By Adeyemi David
The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost more seats in the House of Representatives of Nigeria following the defection of four of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party.
The lawmakers formally announced their defections in separate letters read during plenary on Wednesday by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas.
Among those who defected is Garba Inuwa, who represents Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency of Gombe State. Inuwa left the PDP for the APC.
Similarly, Abdullahi El-Rasheed, representing the Dakku/Nafada Federal Constituency, also defected from the PDP to the APC, while Mohammed Audu, who represents Karim Lamido/Lau/Ardo-Kola Federal Constituency in Taraba State, equally dumped the PDP for the ruling party.
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Another PDP lawmaker, Adewale Adebayo, representing Irepodun/Olorunda/Osogbo/Orolu Federal Constituency of Osun State, defected to the Accord Party.
The lawmakers attributed their decisions to the prolonged leadership crisis and unresolved internal divisions within the PDP, which they said had made it increasingly difficult for them to effectively serve their constituents.
According to them, the internal disputes within the opposition party have weakened its cohesion and undermined its ability to function as a stable political platform.
In a related development, Joshua Obika, who represents Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory, also announced his defection from the Labour Party Nigeria to the APC.
Obika cited the emergence of multiple factions within the Labour Party, noting that the internal disagreements had created uncertainty within the party structure.
The latest defections add to a growing list of lawmakers who have switched political allegiances since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, a trend that has steadily strengthened the numerical advantage of the ruling APC in the House of Representatives.
