By George Ozalla
A dramatic political shift has occurred in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, as 24 out of 26 members of the state House of Assembly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The mass defection was announced by the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, during a plenary session.
The lawmakers cited ongoing internal disputes within the PDP’s National Working Committee as the reason for their decision to leave the party. Following the defection, the Speaker declared that Sunday Johnny, the representative for Onna Constituency and the House Leader, would step down from his role. Chief Whip Effiong Johnson, representing the Mbo Constituency, has been appointed as the Acting Leader of the House until a new leader is chosen.
Only two legislators, including Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, who represents the Etinan State Constituency, have not announced their decision to defect. The mass defection is expected to have significant implications for the state’s political landscape and the balance of power in the Assembly.
