By Time Nigeria
Tuesday, Members of the House of Representatives elected on the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) stage a walkout protest from the chamber while in plenary.
This was as a result of the defection of Honourable Nnanna Igbokwe from Imo State who decamped from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The PDP members however raised several points of order including a reference to a Supreme Court judgment to stall the movement but it failed. Advancing that the judgement barred members from leaving the party upon which they were elected to the House, saying that the consequence was to lose their seat.
Speaker Yakubu Dogara declined their prayers, hinging on another provision of the 1999 constitution (as amended). Addressing House of Representatives correspondents shortly after leaving the chambers, the PDP caucus in solidarity with members of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA and Labour Party, LP said they were heading back to court to seek reinterpretation of the Supreme Court judgment on member’s defection especially when there is no division in his or her political party