Garba Koko, a member of the House of Representatives from Kebbi State, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Koko, who represents the Besse/Maiyama/Yelwa Federal Constituency, announced his defection in a letter read on the floor of the House by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen on Wednesday. He cited a “prolonged and protracted” crisis within the PDP as his reason for leaving the party.
However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda refuted Koko’s claim, insisting there was no such crisis in the PDP. He argued that internal issues exist in all political parties, including the APC and Labour Party.
Chinda urged the Speaker to declare Koko’s seat vacant, referencing Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines conditions under which a lawmaker can lose their seat after defection. “The House should uphold the Constitution and not set a bad precedent,” he stated.
In response, Speaker Tajudeen said the House lacks the power to declare a seat vacant, noting that only a court can make such a decision.
Koko’s defection comes just a day after Amos Magaji, a lawmaker from Kaduna State, also left the PDP for the APC.
