24 Akwa Ibom Lawmakers Defect from PDP to APC, Citing Party Division

In a major political shake-up, 24 out of the 26 members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, made the announcement during plenary on Tuesday, revealing that the defecting lawmakers cited internal divisions within the PDP’s national leadership as the primary reason for their exit.

Only two lawmakers—Hon. Sunday Johnny representing Onna State Constituency and Hon. Uduakobong Ekpo-Ufot of Etinan State Constituency—remained with the PDP.

According to the Speaker, the affected members submitted formal letters notifying the House of their defection, attributing their decision to the alleged factional crisis plaguing the PDP’s National Executive Council.

“The honourable members have indicated that their defection is not borne out of political convenience or personal interest but is necessitated by a demonstrable division within the national leadership of the PDP,” Otong stated.

Citing Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the Speaker said the lawmakers were within their constitutional rights to switch parties.

“The division has, according to them, eroded party cohesion, disrupted policy direction, and hindered their ability to effectively represent their constituents and deliver the dividends of democracy,” he added.

Otong emphasized that the House remains committed to democratic ideals and legislative responsibilities, irrespective of party affiliations.

“This House remains a symbol of democracy. Our collective responsibility is to uphold the integrity of this institution and advance the interest of the Akwa Ibom people,” he noted.

A motion to adopt the Speaker’s address and accept the party change letters was moved by Hon. Lawrence Udoide of Ini State Constituency and seconded by Hon. Bassey Bassey of Okobo State Constituency.