The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered yet another defection in the House of Representatives as Amos Gwamna Magaji, representing Jaba/Zango Kataf Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Announcing his decision, Magaji cited the persistent crisis within the PDP at both national and local levels as the reason for his departure.
Magaji, who serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Health Care Services, is a two-time member of the House and the Chairman of the Kaduna caucus.
He also holds the position of Deputy Chairman of the House Special Ad-hoc Committee on the Restructuring of Government Agencies and Commissions, tasked with reviewing the recommendations of the Stephen Oronsaye report.
Throughout his legislative career, Magaji has been part of several committees, including those on Defense, Reformation Institutions, Rules & Business, Christian Pilgrimage, Police Affairs, and FCT Area Councils.
Additionally, he represents Kaduna State in the House Committee on Constitution Review.
Magaji’s defection marks the third time a PDP lawmaker has crossed over to the APC since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, following the footsteps of Chris Nkwonta and Eriatheke Ibori-Suenu.
However, his move has not gone unchallenged. The Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda, objected to the defection and urged the Speaker to declare Magaji’s seat vacant.
Citing Section 68(1g) of the Constitution, Chinda argued, “Members of the House are lawmakers, not lawbreakers. While the law allows any member to leave the party on whose platform he was elected, it also spells out the consequences associated with such action, which includes losing his seat.”
He insisted that Magaji had not fulfilled the constitutional requirements for defection and should therefore forfeit his position in the House.
