Abia lawmaker who defected from PDP to APC appointed chairman of SEDC

Rep. Chris Nkwonta, who represents Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in Abia State, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Following his defection, Nkwonta was appointed Chairman of the newly established House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas made the announcement during a plenary session, though no specific reasons were provided for Nkwonta’s switch to the APC.

While members of the ruling party welcomed his move, the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano), raised concerns, calling for Nkwonta’s seat to be declared vacant based on Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution.

READ ALSO:Abia Rep member defects from PDP to APC

Madaki argued that lawmakers can only defect from their parties if there is an internal crisis within the party they were elected under.

In response, Speaker Abbas dismissed Madaki’s motion, citing information suggesting a faction within the PDP, which, according to Abbas, justified Nkwonta’s defection.

During the same session, other key committee chair appointments were also announced, including Rep. Timehin Adelegbe as Chairman of the Committee on Science Research Institutions and Rep. Kabiru Ahmadi Mai Palace as Chairman of the Committee on Sports.