Rowdy session at Reps as two PDP lawmakers defect to APC- Dogara

Two Rep members want the seats of the defecting lawmaker declared vacant.
 

There was a rowdy session on the floor of the House of Representatives on Thursday, October 5, 2017 as two members dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers are Yusuf Ahmed Tijani and Zephaniah Jisalo representing Okene/Ogori-Magogo and  Abuja Municipal/Bwari, respectively.

Speaker Yakubu Dogara read a letter from both lawmakers indicating their desire to decamp to the APC from PDP.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara
(Paradigm)

The lawmakers cited “factionalization'’ as the reason for their defection.

Citing Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the minority whip, Umar Barde Yakubu raised a point of order saying those who defected ought to vacate their seats.

At this point, the atmosphere at House became rowdy as lawmakers agreed and disagreed with each other on the matter raised.

Honourble Ossai Nicholas Ossai also raised a point of order arguing in favour of the minority whip.

Osai also prayed the House to declare their seats be vacant.

But Speaker Dogara ruled on the point of order saying party division was not defined in the House.

Meanwhile, Speaker Dogara finally swore-in Dorathy Mato on Tuesday, October 3, 2017.