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APC Clinches 2/3 Majority in House of Representatives with Defections

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Six members of the House of Representatives have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), making the ruling party to clinch a 2/3 majority in the Green chamber. The defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) have further increased the strength of the APC's membership in the parliament. The 2/3 majority of the 360-member House of Representatives is 240, and with the latest defections, the membership of the APC now stands at 243 while the PDP has depleted to 74.

Key Takeaways:

  • Six members of the House of Representatives, including five from Enugu State and one from Plateau State, defected to the APC, making the ruling party have a 2/3 majority in the Green chamber.
  • The defections include Hon. Nnolim John Nnaji, Rep. Anayo Onwuegbu, Rep. Oke Martins, Rep. Obetta Mark Chidiebere, and Hon. Dennis Nnamdi Agbo from Enugu State, as well as Hon. Daniel Asama from Plateau State.
  • The APC now has 243 members in the House of Representatives, while the PDP has 74 members.
  • The opposition parties' membership has depleted significantly, with the LP having 21 members, NNPP having 15, APGA having 5, ADC having 1, SDP having 2, and YPP having 1.
  • The defections were guided by a collective resolve to align with Enugu State Governor, Peter Ndubisi Mbah, whom they described as a visionary leader committed to transforming the state and connecting it to the national development agenda.
  • The lawmakers cited joining the APC would enable them to attract more federal presence, infrastructure projects, and youth empowerment initiatives to their constituencies.
  • Governor Mbah has been commended by the lawmakers for his "courage, foresight, and leadership," which has inspired confidence and progress in Enugu State.

Statistics:

  • The APC now has 243 members in the House of Representatives.
  • The PDP has 74 members in the House of Representatives.
  • The opposition parties' membership has depleted to a total of 104 members.
  • The 2/3 majority of the 360-member House of Representatives is 240.
  • The number of vacancies at the start of the 10th National Assembly was 3.

Sources:

  • Daily Trust, "Six More Reps Defect to APC, Give Ruling Party 2/3 Majority"
  • AllAfrica Global Media, distributed by (allAfrica.com)

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