nPDP APC Merger: PDP’s Majority Threatened In N’Assembly

The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in the House of Representatives may have come under threat, owing to the defection of the five of the seven ‘rebel’ governors and some influential leaders of the PDP to the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday.

Findings on Tuesday showed that the PDP could lose at least four key principal positions should many of its members move in droves to join the governors in the APC.

The positions under threat are Deputy Speaker (Mr. Emeka Ihedioha); Majority Leader (Mulikat Akande-Adeola); Chief Whip (Ishaka Bawa); and Deputy Leader (Leo Ogor).

Investigations showed that as of the last count, the APC had 137 members in the House.

It will also be recalled that at least 57 PDP members openly moved with their governors to the defunct  New PDP.

A source told journalist that this already implied “a likely shift in majority leadership to the APC," adding that “If you add 57 to 137, you will get 194. If you deduct 194 from 360, the number is 166."

“Don’t forget that not all of the 166 members of the House of Representatives are PDP members. There are small parties like the Labour Party, a faction of APGA and the Accord Party. What does this tell you about which party will control the House? Again, more members will likely defect in the days ahead; anything is bound to happen.”

A National Assembly official said, “If you take Uchendu’s position, it means the APC will have 237 members in the House. That is more good tidings for the opposition in terms of which party will be in control.”

There were doubts on Tuesday over which side of the divide the Speaker, Mr. Aminu Tambuwal, belonged. The speaker has been evading taking a categorical stance on the crisis since it broke out. However, he attends events organised by APC stakeholders and the rebel governors.

When contacted for comments on Tuesday, his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. James Ojo, said his boss had not informed him that he had left the PDP.

However, the Chief Whip of the House, Mr. Ishaka Bawa, a PDP member, called for caution, saying that the party could “wax stronger.”

Before the latest development, out of the 109 senators, the APC had 34; the Labour Party and All Progressives Grand Alliance had four; while the PDP had  71 senators. With the defection of five governors, the PDP will have 56 senators; APC will have 49 Labour Party will have three; while APGA will have one.

Punch