By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini
In a significant political shift, three members of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State have defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, announced the defection on Tuesday. The lawmakers crossing the aisle are Hon. Abdulkarim Hussain Mohammed, Hon. Aliyu Mustapha Abdullahi, and Hon. Sadiq Ango Abdullahi.
The political event was graced by the presence of Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, who attended the plenary specifically to witness the defection.
The lawmakers justified their move by pointing to internal crises and deep-seated divisions within the PDP.
Following the announcement, Governor Sani led the defecting legislators to the Speaker’s office for a photo session before departing.
However, the move was immediately contested by the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda.
He challenged the defection and called on the Speaker to declare the seats of the three lawmakers vacant, citing the relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution.