Mass Exodus Hits Akwa Ibom Assembly as 24 Lawmakers Defect to APC

A significant shift has occurred in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, with 24 lawmakers announcing their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was disclosed by the Speaker of the Assembly, Udeme Otong, during a plenary session on Tuesday.

The defecting lawmakers cited internal conflicts within the PDP’s National Working Committee as the reason for their decision. However, the Speaker did not reveal whether he was among the defectors or the position of the two remaining lawmakers, including Uduak Ekpo-Ufot, who represents Etinan State Constituency.

Following the mass defection, the House Leader, Sunday Johnny, has stepped down from his position, and Chief Whip Effiong Johnson has been named Acting Leader of the House.

This development is part of a larger political realignment in Akwa Ibom State, where Governor Umo Eno and other key stakeholders have also defected to the APC.

The Governor has stated that the move is a strategic decision to align the state with the federal government under President Bola Tinubu.