PDP Loses Another Federal Lawmaker to APC
In a significant political shift, Hon. Amos Gwamna Magaji, the member representing the Jaba/Zangon Kataf Federal Constituency of Kaduna State in the House of Representatives, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement of his defection was made during a resumed plenary on Tuesday, with Speaker Abbas Tajudeen (APC, Kaduna) reading the letter of resignation.
Magaji, who is the chairman of the House Committee on Health Care Services and leader of the Kaduna caucus in the House, cited the unresolved crisis within the PDP from the national level down to the grassroots as his reason for leaving the party.
His defection marks the fourth time a PDP lawmaker has switched to the APC in the 10th House of Representatives. Other recent defectors include Hon. Chris Nkwonta (Abia), Hon. Eriatheke Ibori-Suenu (Delta), and Hon. Suleiman Gumi (Zamfara).
In response to Magaji’s defection, the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), objected to the move, arguing that Magaji had violated the provisions of Section 68(1g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by failing to adhere to the required procedures. Chinda called for Magaji’s seat to be declared vacant due to his failure to comply with the constitutional requirements for defection.
