Members
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives
have walked out of plenary over the defection of a member to the All
Progressives Congress (APC).
of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives
have walked out of plenary over the defection of a member to the All
Progressives Congress (APC).
Trouble started when a
member, Raphael Igbokwe, who represents Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal
Constituency of Imo State, declared that he had defected to the APC.
member, Raphael Igbokwe, who represents Ahiazu Mbaise/Ezinihitte Federal
Constituency of Imo State, declared that he had defected to the APC.
After
informing the House of his decision, opposition lawmakers asked the
Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, to declare Igbokwe’s seat vacant.
informing the House of his decision, opposition lawmakers asked the
Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, to declare Igbokwe’s seat vacant.
The
Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Binta Bello, who raised a point of
order after the defection, cited section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999
Constitution, insisting that the Igbokwe’s seat should be declared
vacant.
Deputy Minority Leader of the House, Binta Bello, who raised a point of
order after the defection, cited section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999
Constitution, insisting that the Igbokwe’s seat should be declared
vacant.
But the Speaker ruled against her position after which the opposition lawmakers angrily walked out of plenary in protest.
They
argued that rather ruling against their position, the Speaker ought to
have called for an investigation into the provision of the Constitution
on the matter.
argued that rather ruling against their position, the Speaker ought to
have called for an investigation into the provision of the Constitution
on the matter.
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, was also at the session to witness the defection.
Igbokwe, 45, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2011. (Channels)
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