Rep. Chris Nkwonta, who represents Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency in Abia State, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following his defection, Nkwonta was appointed as the Chairman of the newly established House Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC).
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The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the defection but did not provide specific reasons for Nkwonta’s move.
While members of the APC welcomed him, Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano) raised a constitutional concern.
He cited Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which stipulates that a lawmaker can only switch parties if there is a crisis in their current party.
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Madaki argued that Nkwonta’s seat should be declared vacant.
However, Speaker Abbas dismissed the objection, stating that there is a faction within the PDP, which he believed justified the defection.
In addition to Nkwonta’s new role, the Speaker announced several other committee appointments, including Rep. Timehin Adelegbe as Chairman of the Committee on Science Research Institutions, Rep. Kabiru Ahmadi Mai Palace for the Committee on Sports, Rep. Abubakar Gummi for the Committee on the North East Development Commission (NEDC), and Rep. Kama Nkemkanma for the Committee on Climate Change and Security.
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Several other lawmakers were also named to head various committees.
