The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has lost another member to the ruling party in the House of Representatives.
Salisu Garba Koko, representing Koko/Besse/Mayama Federal Constituency of Kebbi State, announced his defection in a letter read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen at Wednesday plenary.
He cited an ongoing crisis within the PDP as his reason for leaving, saying it made it difficult for him to remain in the party.
Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda dismissed Mr. Koko’s claim, arguing that internal challenges exist in all parties and that defections should not be justified by alleged crises.
He urged the Speaker to declare defectors’ seats vacant, requiring them to seek a fresh mandate from their constituents.
Supporting this, Ben Etanebene questioned whether defectors would amend their INEC certificates, emphasising that the Constitution mandates vacating such seats.
In response, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen stated that only the courts have the authority to declare seats vacant and affirmed that the House would act based on the content of members’ defection letters.
