Federal Constituency Abia state, Rep. Chris Nkwonta, has defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following his defection, he was made the Chairman of the newly constituted House Committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC).
Earlier, Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker, announced defection of the lawmaker but did not give any reason.
As members of the APC welcomed him into their fold, the Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Sani Madaki (NNPP, Kano), raised a point of order.
Madaki asked the Speaker to declare Nkwonta’s seat vacant, citing Section 58 of the 1999 constitution as amended which he said provides that, a member can only leave the party on whose platform he was elected platform if there is crisis,
However, Abbas ruled him out of order saying that, based on the information available to him, there is a faction in the PDP.
The Speaker also announced other new Committee chairmen and their Deputies which include; Rep. Timehin Adelegbe as Chairman Committee on Science Research Institutions; Rep. Kabiru Ahmadi Mai Palace as Chairman House Committee on Sports; Rep. Abubakar Gummi as Chairman House Committee on North East Development Commission (NEDC) and Rep. Kama Nkemkanma as the Chairman, House Committee on Climate Change and Security.
Others were; Rep. Mohammed Mukthar as Chairman, Committee on Tourism; Rep. Zakariya Idris as Chairman, Committee on Safety Standards while Rep. Anayo Onwuegbu was to Chair the House Committee on Lake Chad.(Daily Trust)
