…Gov Yusuf, Barau, Ganduje Witness Defection
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) increased their numerical strength in the National Assembly as 28 members of the House of Representatives defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Labour Party (LP).
A total of 14 lawmakers defected to the APC, nine NNPP members from Kano and include Hon. Ghali Mustapha (Ajingi/Albasu/Gaya federal constituency), Shehu Bello (Fagge federal constituency), Dankawu Idris (Kumbotso federal constituency), Hussain Hassan Shehu (Nassarawa federal constituency), Rabiu Yusuf (Sumaila/Takai federal constituency), Garba Chiroma (Gezawa/Gabasawa federal constituency), Ibrahim Mohammed (Gwale federal constituency), Tijjani Jobe (Tofa/Dawakin-Tofa/Rimingado federal constituency), and Aliu Madaki, deputy minority leader (Dala federal constituency).
Five PDP members left for the APC; they include: Hon. Yakubu Jafaru (and Sadiq Tafida from PDP, Taraba), Hon. Mohammed Inuwa (PDP, Adamawa), Hassan Shinkafi (PDP, Zamfara) and Ibrahim Mohammed (PDP, Kebbi).
Meanwhile, the ADC got eight members who defected from different political parties, including the APC.
They include the Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. George Ozodinobi LP, (Anambra), Uchenna Harris (Anambra), Yahaya Tongo (PDP, Gombe), Oluwaseyi Sowunmi (Lagos), Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), Maini Maishenko (PDP, Sokoto), Abdulssamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto), and Umar Yabo (PDP, Sokoto).
Similarly, two lawmakers from Osun State, Hon. Ademola Akanni and Lanre Oladebo, defected to the Accord Party, while Philip Agbese (APC, Benue) and Alex Mascot (APGA, Abia) defected to the Labour Party.
Also, two lawmakers, Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere and Anthony Mathew from Imo State, defected to the Action Peoples Party (APP).
With this latest defection, the APC now has 280 members in the House, PDP-37, ADC-16, LP-12, NNPP-5, Accord Party-3 and APP-2.
Meanwhile, the governor of Kano State, Mallam Abba Yusuf, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and former Kano governor and APC National Chairman, Alhaji Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, were on hand to witness the defection of the nine lawmakers from NNPP to APC.
