The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strengthened its control of the House of Representatives, boosting its membership to about 220 following the defection of seven lawmakers from Akwa Ibom State on Thursday.

At the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC held 178 seats, but recent defections have steadily increased the party’s dominance in the lower chamber.

The defectors, who dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP), cited lingering and unresolved leadership crises in their former parties. Their defection was announced during plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who read their letters of resignation.

Those who defected include Alphonsus Uduak, Martin Esin, Paul Ekpo, Okpolupm Ette, Bassey Okon (all of PDP), and Emmanuel Ukpong (YPP). The move leaves the YPP with no representative in the House, having entered the Assembly with two seats.

Leading the defection was Unyime Idem, head of the Akwa Ibom caucus and Chairman of the House Committee on Public Procurement. In his letter, Idem said he was quitting the PDP after 26 years due to escalating leadership crises, particularly the unresolved issue of the party’s National Secretary.

Martin Esin said he resigned from the PDP on June 17 and joined the APC in response to the demands of his constituents, also blaming the ongoing crisis within the PDP.

Other defectors echoed similar reasons, stating their move was to align with President Bola Tinubu’s administration in delivering democratic dividends.

Reacting, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda expressed concern over the trend, warning that while lawmakers have the right to associate under Section 40 of the Constitution, their defections come with constitutional consequences. He urged the Speaker to declare their seats vacant, in accordance with Section 68(1g) of the Constitution.

The development leaves the opposition with about 140 members across six political parties, giving the APC a firm majority in the House.

Standing:

APC-220 up from 178

PDP-90- down from 113

LP- 26 down from 35

NNPP-16-down from 19

APGA-6- up from 5

ADC-1-down from 2

SDP-2

YPP-O- down from 2

However, there are five vacant seats in the House left by the death of four members of the APC and One member of the Labour Party.