BREAKING: Seven Akwa Ibom Lawmakers Defect to APC from PDP, YPP During Plenary

In a major political realignment, seven members of the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defections were formally announced on Thursday, July 3, 2025, during a plenary session of the House of Representatives, as monitored via the National Assembly’s NASS TV YouTube livestream.

Martins Esin, who represented Oron/Mbo/Okobo/Udung Uko/Urueoffong Oruko Federal Constituency under the PDP, attributed his defection to unresolved internal crises and factionalism within the party.

In a letter to the House leadership, Esin stated that he could no longer pursue his legislative duties within a fractured party structure and has decided to realign with the APC.

Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, welcomed the defectors, congratulating them on their decision and leading APC members in a round of applause.

The development is seen as a significant political boost for the APC ahead of upcoming elections, especially in the South-South region.

This wave of defection follows a similar move by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, who announced his departure from the PDP to the APC less than a month ago.

The governor made his switch public at a high-profile event held at the Government House in Uyo, attended by top APC figures.

Umo Eno, elected in 2023 under the PDP, stated that his defection was part of a strategic move to align with national development goals and ensure better coordination with the federal government.

The defections mark a growing shift in Akwa Ibom’s political landscape and may signal broader changes in the balance of power ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Analysts suggest the APC could be positioning itself for greater dominance in a region traditionally controlled by opposition parties.