Member of Parliament representing Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives. Chris Nkwonta has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who announced the lawmaker’s departure from the House of Commons when it resumed on Wednesday, did not give a reason for the lawmaker’s change of party.
Abbas said he was only asked to make an announcement by the House of Representatives leader while the APC executive committee welcomed the new member.
However, Deputy Minority Leader, Hon. Mr. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano) demanded that Mr. Nkwonta’s seat be declared vacant in accordance with the provisions of Article 58 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
Madaki said the article stipulates that if there is a crisis within the party, members can leave the party based on the platform on which they were elected. He said he was not depressed.
However, Speaker Abbas ruled His Excellency. Madaki fumed: “According to the information I have, it appears that there are factions in the PDP.”
Apparently, I’m grateful that I chose APC, Your Excellency. Immediately after his defection, Nkwonta was appointed chairman of the House of Commons committee of the newly formed South East Development Commission (SEDC). Sunday Nnamuchi, a native of Enugu State, was sworn in as his deputy.
The Chairman also appointed His Excellency.
Timhin Adelegbe (APC, Ondo) has been appointed Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Scientific and Research Institutions. My lord. Mr. Kabir Ahmadi (My Palace), from Zamfara State, Chairman of the House Committee on Sports. My lord. Mr. Abubakar Gumi, Chairman, North East Development Commission (NEDC), and Mr. Nkemkamma were appointed as Chairman, Committee on Climate Change and Security.
The other chairpersons announced were Hon. Mohamed Mukhtar, in charge of the Tourism Commission; My lord. Zachariah Idris, Chairman, Safety Standards Committee and Anayo Onwuegbu, Chairman, House of Representatives Lake Chad Committee.
