The ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) caucus in the House of Representatives has further depleted as a member of the party from Jos south-west in Plateau state, Hon. Edward Pwajok (SAN) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a letter read by Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, during Wednesday’s plenary; Pwajok said he was leaving the PDP to the APC due to the crisis in the party.

According to him, there are many divisions in the PDP from National level between Sheriff and Makarfi factions and also in Plateau state between Badung and Sango factions which led to the sealing of the party secretariat in Jos last week.

In a swift reaction after the announcement, the minority leader, Leo Ogor, in a point of order, faulted Pwajok claim that the PDP is factionalised. The minority leader therefore urged Pwajok to vacate his seat. 

The Plateau state governor, Simon Lalong, who was at the chamber to witness the defection, said lawmakers’ defection has opened the floodgate for other PDP legislators from the state to join the ruling party. 

Also speaking to journalists on his defection, Pwajok said Section 68 subject section 1d of the 1999 constitution, which states clear that where there are divisions in a party, a member can defect to another party. 

On his part, speaker Yakubu Dogara said the legality of the defection of Pwajok will be left for the Court to decide.

Meanwhile, member of the ECOWAS Parliament led by the speaker, Monstaplia Cisse Lo were at the house of representative chamber where they observed Wednesday’s plenary.