Despite 24 of their colleagues migrating to the All Progressives Congress, two members of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have yet to leave the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to reports, the two lawmakers, Sunday Johnny from Onna State and Uduakobong Ekpo-Ufot from Etinan State, are supporters of former Governor Udom Emmanuel, who has remained silent since Governor Umo Eno, his successor, switched to the APC.
During Tuesday’s plenary, Speaker of the House Udeme Otong revealed that 24 of the 26 members had officially defected to the APC, citing disagreements among the national leadership of the PDP.
According to Otong, the parliamentarians cited the 1999 Constitution’s Section 109(1)(g), which permits elected officials to leave their party in the event of an internal crisis.
He said, “It is upon this constitutional provision that I have weighed your written submissions.
“You have each indicated that your defection is not out of political convenience or self-interest but arises from a demonstrable division within the national leadership of the PDP.
“A division which, by your account, has affected party cohesion, disrupted policy direction, and hindered your ability to function as an effective lawmaker.
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“Let me state here that this House remains a symbol of democracy, and it is our collective responsibility to uphold the integrity of the legislative institution.”
The speaker urged all lawmakers to remain focused on their legislative responsibilities regardless of party affiliation.
A motion to adopt the speaker’s remarks and the defection letters was moved by Lawrence Udoide (Ini) and seconded by Bassey Bassey (Okobo).
