Twenty four out of the 26 members of Akwa Ibom State’s House of Assembly on Tuesday defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) barely three days after Governor Umo Eno was received into the party at a grand reception in Uyo, the State capital.
Udeme Otong, Speaker of the State House of Assembly announced the defection of the lawmakers during Plenary session, saying he had received Resignation letters from 24 lawmakers who were previously members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The lawmakers, according to the Speaker, cited internal conflicts within the National Working Committee of the PDP as the reason for their departure.
Otong did not however address the status of the remaining two members, who have yet to declare their positions regarding the defection, nor did he clarify whether he was among the 24 defectors.
He later announced that the House Leader, Sunday Johnny, who represents Onna State Constituency is now part of the minority PDP in the House and should therefore step down from his previous role.
In Johnny’s place, the Chief Whip, Effiong Johnson of Mbo State Constituency was named the Acting Leader of the House until a new leader is selected.
It was gathered that Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, the representative for the Etinan State Constituency had not joined in the mass exodus to the APC.
Alongside Johnny, Ekpo-Ufot is believed to be loyal to former Governor Udom Emmanuel, who has yet to respond to the defection of Governor Umo Eno, his successor.
Johnny and former governor Udom Emmanuel are from the same State Constituency of Onna Local Government Area.
BusinessDay recalls that Governor Eno, who had earlier defected from PDP to APC, was received into the APC by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State.
