Lone APM Rep decamps to APC

The Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives has lost another member to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The caucus is led by the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is the largest opposition party in the House.

The member representing Egbado South/Ipokia Federal Constituency of Ogun State, Kolawole Lawal, defected from Alliance Peoples Movement (APM) to APC. He is the only member of the party in the National Assembly.

Rep Lawal replaced Rep. Abiodun Akinlade who contested the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state under APM.

He had also defected to the APC a year ago after he lost his governorship bid.

The lawmaker announced his defection in a letter addressed to the House and read by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, during plenary on Tuesday.

The speaker, while welcoming the new APC member, assured him of every cooperation in the discharge of his legislative duties.

However, the deputy minority leader of the House, Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), rose to object to the defection saying the speaker should obey the law in cases of defection because there are accepted laws regarding it.

Similarly, Ossai Nicholas Ossai rose on a point of order to speak on the matter and cited Section 68(2) of the Constitution.

The Speaker, however, objected saying the same point of order was raised a week ago when two members of PDP in the House defected to APC.