By Gloria Ikibah
As the gale of defection continues in the House of Representatives, seven members from Akwa Ibom State, elected on platforms of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party and Young Progressives Congress (YPP), have defected to the All Progressives Congress ( APC).
In separate letters to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, six of the lawmakers from the PDP and one from the YPP, announced their defection, in a letter read by Speaker Abbas on Thursday at plenary.
The defecting members are Rep. Unyime Idem, Rep. Martin Esin, Rep Paul Ekpo, Rep. Uduak Alphonsos, Rep. Eteh Ikpong, Rep. Emmanuel Udom and Rep. Okon Bassey, giving reason of their defection to the crises in their political parties.
Reacting to the defection, Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, said while the Section 40 of 1999 Constitution ( as amended) guarantees them right of association, it must be in accordance with Section 68( 1) ( g) of the Constitution.
The Minority Leader highlighted that the Supreme Court has already ruled on the meaning of division in a political party, and said that it was not proper for anyone to say that there is division in the PDP.
“Under Section 40 of our constitution, every citizen, including parliamentarians, have the right of peaceful assembly and association, a right to choose political parties that they wish to belong to.
“Therefore, whilst our colleagues are enjoying these rights this morning, we also want to say that there are conditions and consequences that follow these rights. And so, the Constitution has also provided, in Section 68(1g), the consequences when you choose to enjoy this right under Section 40 of the constitution.
“And let me put it on record that where there is division within a party, the highest court of the land has ruled to interpret what that means. And as we speak today, it will be unlawful, it will be out of place, it will be inappropriate to conclude that the People’s Democratic Party has a division in the eyes of the law within the party.
“If you look at the judgement of the Supreme Court. Mr. Speaker, having said so, I would therefore urge you to act in line with the constitutional provision in section 68(1g)”, he stated.
The Speaker in his ruling said: “Your point of order is noted, leader. And I’m sure members have heard you. We will see how it goes.”
