Garba Koko, a PDP lawmaker, has defected to the APC, citing prolonged party crises. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the switch, while PDP's Kingsley Chinda opposed it, calling for Koko’s seat to be declared vacant. His defection follows a trend of lawmakers leaving the opposition for the ruling party.
Garba Koko, a House of Representatives member representing Besse/Maiyama Yema federal constituency in Kebbi State, has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC). His defection was announced by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Wednesday’s plenary session.
Koko cited the “prolonged and protracted” crisis within the PDP as his reason for switching parties. However, Kingsley Chinda, the minority leader, refuted this claim, insisting that the PDP is not facing any significant internal turmoil. Chinda argued that all political parties, including the APC and Labour Party (LP), experience internal disputes. He then urged the speaker to declare Koko’s seat vacant, referencing Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which a lawmaker can lose their position after defecting.
Speaker Abbas responded by stating that only the court has the authority to determine whether a seat should be declared vacant.
Koko’s defection is the latest in a wave of PDP and LP lawmakers joining the APC. Just a day earlier, Amos Magaji from Kaduna also defected. In recent months, Chris Nkwonta from Abia, Sulaiman Abubakar from Zamfara, and multiple lawmakers from both parties have made similar moves.
The trend of defections has fueled discussions about party instability, with opposition leaders warning against the erosion of democratic principles. Meanwhile, the APC continues to strengthen its majority in the National Assembly.
