Four lawmakers, Ibori’s daughter defect to APC

December 05, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

Four lawmakers from the Labour Party (LP) have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers, who announced their defection on Thursday, are Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Iyawe Esosa (Edo).

Additionally, Erthiatake Ibori-Suenu, the daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, has also joined the APC, ending her association with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Donatus Mathew, who represents Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, confirmed the development, stating that his decision to defect to the APC was based on conviction.

When asked if his constituents supported his decision, Mathew said, “You cannot just work on the decision of the people at the constituency level because you are dealing with people with different levels of understanding.”

Mathew, who made history by winning the parliamentary election in 2023 as a commercial motorcycle rider, added, “I am taking this decision based on conviction. That is why whether you like it or not, there are people within the constituency who are convinced that it (defection) is the right decision for them.”

The lawmakers’ letter of defection to the APC was read on the floor of the Green Chamber by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on Thursday.