24 out of 26 members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Speaker of the House, Udeme Otong, revealed the mass defection during plenary on Tuesday, confirming receipt of resignation letters from the lawmakers. The defectors cited ongoing internal crises within the PDP’s National Working Committee as the reason for their decision.
Speaker Otong, however, did not clarify whether he was among those who defected, nor did he reveal the stance of the remaining two legislators.
One of the two, Uduak Ekpo-Ufot of the Etinan State Constituency, is reportedly staying loyal to former Governor Udom Emmanuel. The other is Sunday Johnny of Onna Constituency, who now becomes part of the minority PDP and has been removed as House Leader.
Chief Whip Effiong Johnson of Mbo Constituency has been named Acting Leader of the House, pending the election of a new leader.
