The numerical strength of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives received a major boost on Thursday, 3 July, 2025 as at least seven member from Akwa Ibom State announced their defections to the ruling party, BusinessTodayNG reports.
The defected lawmakers, it was gathered, include six from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
The defectors from the PDP include Paul Ekpo, Unyime Idem, Martins Etim, Okpolu Ukpong Etteh, Uduak Odudoh and Okon Ime Bassey. Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo of the YPP also defected to the APC.
Their defection letters were read on the floor of the House on Thursday, 3 July, 2025 by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during plenary.
The lawmakers cited deepening division and protracted internal crises within the PDP as the reason for their decision to leave the party.
According to the lawmakers, the crisis within the PDP in Akwa Ibom and at the national level had made it difficult for them to effectively represent their constituents.
The defections come a few weeks after the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno defected to the APC.
Speaking on the development, the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, expressed sadness over the defection, just as he also added that the claim of divisions within the PDP was inappropriate and unlawful.
Chinda described the defections as unlawful and urged the Speaker to act in line with Section 68 (1) (g) of the Constitution by declaring their seats vacant.
