Kebbi lawmaker defects from PDP to APC

By Austine Agbo Emmanuel

A member of the House of Representatives from Kebbi State, Salisu Garba Koko, has officially switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Koko, who represents the Besse/Maiyama Federal Constituency, announced his defection in a letter submitted to the House. The Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, read the letter during a plenary session.

The legislator attributed his decision to ongoing internal crises within the PDP, which he described as “protracted.”

His defection comes shortly after Amos Gwamna Magaji, a PDP representative from Kaduna State, also left the party, citing similar concerns.

However, House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda dismissed the claim of a prolonged crisis within the PDP, stating that internal disagreements are common in all political parties, including the APC and the Labour Party.

He urged the Speaker to declare Koko’s seat vacant, as provided by the constitution.

In response, Speaker Tajudeen clarified that the House lacks the authority to declare seats vacant, emphasising that such decisions can only be made by the courts.