In a significant political shift, seven members of the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further strengthening the party’s presence in the South-South region.
Six of the lawmakers dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while one member crossed over from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).
The defectors from the PDP include:
Unyime Idem, Martins Esin, Paul Ekpo, Uduak Odudoh, Okpolu Etteh, Bassey Okon.
Joining them is Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, who left the YPP to align with the APC.
While official statements from the lawmakers are yet to be made public, political analysts believe the move may be connected to shifting political alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections, as well as internal wranglings within the opposition ranks.
The defections mark a major win for the APC in a state traditionally dominated by the PDP, potentially altering the balance of power and influencing future legislative and electoral strategies in the region.
