- The minority whip’s cited the Constitution, which states that a member who defects from their sponsoring party without a party crisis should forfeit their seat.
- His remarks were drowned out by a chaotic uproar from members, causing the chamber to erupt into confusion.
Idris Salman, a House of Representatives member from Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency, dumped parties on Tuesday, joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Salman, who won his seat in the 2023 National Assembly election under the ADC banner, made the move after consulting with his constituents.
“I took this decision after wide-range consultation with members of my constituency,” the lawmaker said.
The announcement was made during a plenary session on Tuesday, where the letter of defection was read by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
Amid cheers from APC lawmakers, the Minority Whip of the House, Ali Isah, urged the Speaker to declare Salman’s seat vacant, urging him to seek the nomination of his new party if he wishes to return to the legislative chamber.
The call was ignored as the House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere, took him to shake hands with some APC lawmakers present at the plenary.
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