Nasarawa State House of Assembly
The Speaker of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Ibrahim Balarabe-Abdullahi, has declared the seat of Makpa Malla vacant for defecting from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Malla, representing Wamba constituency, defected from the APC to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
In a letter to the Speaker of the Assembly, he said the defection was because of the division in the party which led to a faction called the R-APC, being created.
The speaker, after reading the letter, called for investigation into the matter before the House could take any decision.
Tanko Tunga, the House Majority Leader, moved a motion that Malla’s seat be declared vacant, which was received with voice votes from other members.
Reacting, the Speaker said: “My colleagues, this letter is from Hon. Makpa Malla, member representing Wamba constituency that he is defecting from the APC.
“Makpa cited alleged division in the APC, emergence of R-APC and APC leadership as reasons for his defection.
“He, however, did not mention the party Malla is defecting to.
“I wanted us to investigate the matter based on the reasons he gave for his defection, but with the voice votes put on all the members, my hands are tight.
“I hereby declare his seat vacant.”
Balarabe-Abdullahi directed the clerk to communicate the development officially to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).