The numerical strength of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives was further boosted on Wednesday as two lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, defected to the APC.
The lawmakers that dumped the PDP for APC are Tony Nwoye representing Anambra-East/West Federal Constituency of Anambra State and Emmanuel Udende representing Katsina-Ala/Ukum/Logo Federal Constituency of Benue State.
The development raised the numerical strength of the APC to 215, which is still a far cry from 240 (two-thirds), the number of lawmakers the governing party requires to have a smooth sail of its policies and programmes in the Green Chambers.
The main opposition PDP, which has been experiencing a leadership tussle in recent times, saw its numerical strength drop to 138.
Members of the majority APC jubilated over the addition to their fold while the PDP lawmakers were unhappy with the development and even attempted to block Nwoye and Udende’s defection.
The Minority Leader, Mr. Leo Ogor, raised a point of order, urging Speaker Yakubu Dogara to declare the seats of the defectors vacant on the grounds that the PDP was neither factionalised nor in crisis.
But he lost the bid after Dogara rejected moves by PDP lawmakers to debate the defection of Nwoye and Udende.
