PDP fumes as another Rep defects to APC
The Peoples Democratic Party has lost another member in the House of Representatives to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Amos Magaji, a two-term lawmaker representing Jaba/Zango Kataf Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, announced his defection from the PDP to the APC on Tuesday, citing internal crises in the PDP.
But his announcement was met with anger by the House Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda,who strongly opposed the defection, urging the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, to declare Magaji’s seat vacant in line with constitutional provisions.
Citing Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, Chinda argued that while lawmakers have the right to switch parties, the law clearly states that such a move carries consequences, including forfeiting their seat.
“We are lawmakers, not lawbreakers. The law allows a member to leave the platform on which they were elected, but it also spells out the consequences of such action,” Chinda stated.
However, his argument was dismissed as members of the APC caucus took turns congratulating Magaji on his defection.
Announcing his defection on Tuesday, Magaji, known for his loyalty to the PDP and his past opposition to defections on the House floor, said, “The unresolved crises in the PDP, from the national to the state level, have made it difficult for me to remain in the party.”
A medical doctor turned politician, Magaji currently serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Health Care Services and Deputy Chairman of the House Special Ad Hoc Committee on the Restructuring of Government Agencies and Commissions, tasked with reviewing the Stephen Oronsaye report.
He has previously served on several key committees, including Defence, Reformation Institutions, Rules and Business, Christian Pilgrimage, and Police Affairs.
He also represented Kaduna State in the House Committee on Constitution Review.
Magaji is the third PDP lawmaker to defect to the APC since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, following Chris Nkwonta from Abia State and Eriatheke Ibori-Suenu from Delta State.
