In what could be described as a political fallout, on Thursday, December 5, Erhriatake Ibori-Suenu, a member of the House of Representatives who represents the Ethiope federal constituency of Delta state, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mrs Ibori-Suenu, is the daughter of James Ibori, who served as the governor of Delta state from 1999 to 2007.
She announced her defection in a letter addressed to the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, which was read on the floor of the House on Thursday, December 5, 2024.
The lawmaker won the 2023 election on the platform of the PDP despite his fatherâs political differences with former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.
Business Day reported that the lawmaker blamed intra-party crisis for her defection to the ruling APC.
PremiumTimes reported that Mrs Ibori-Suenu’s defection was greeted with a mild drama on the floor of the House.
Following the announcement of the defection on the floor, Ali Isa, minority whip, protested and called for the declaration of the seat vacant.
However, the call was ignored by the speaker in the usual manner.
Meanwhile, Mr Ibori, a close ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had a fall out with Mr Okowa over the choice of candidate for the governorship polls in 2023.
Believed to be the strongman of Delta politics, the former governor supported David Edebvie for the ticket, but was outfoxed by Mr Okowa, who was able to navigate Sheriff Oborevwori through the party primary.
Mr Ibori visited President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, July 12, 2023, in the early days of the latterâs administration. They are both members of the 1999/2007 class of governors.
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Similarly, TimesNow.com.ng reported that four Labour Party (LP) house of representatives members have left the party.
The defecting federal lawmakers joined the ruling APC.
Their letter of defection to the APC was read on the floor of the Green Chamber by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Thursday.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
