House of Representatives member Hon Edward Pwajok, who represents Jos/Jos East Constituency, has defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC)
Hundreds of constituents stormed the lawmaker’s residence in Jos, Plateau State capital, at the weekend to urge him to defect.
They came from the five districts of Jos South local government and 20 wards.
Many PDP elected representatives have left the party for the APC.
During their unscheduled visit to Pwajok, spokespersons from the various districts took their turns to speak on reasons for their visit and they were uniimouse in their demand for Pwajok to dump the PDP.
The visitors lamented the persistent injustice, imposition and many unresolved crisis that have factionalised the PDP at the wards, local government areas and the state, saying those conflicts appeared unresolvable and have no reason to remain in the troubled party.
They said they had resolved to dump the PDP for the APC, adding they were fed up with the prolonged leadership tussle between Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff and Sen. Ahmed Makarfi at the national level.
The lingering disquiet in the state chapter of the PDP has brought the party to its knees. members are forming different opinions as they discuss in clusters about the travail of the party.
A motion was moved by the immediate past PDP state Youth Leader, Hon. Pam Audu, and seconded by chairman of PDP ward chairmen in Jos South LGAs, Dung Chuwang, endorsing the defection of Pwajok to APC.
Audu said: “We are directing, mandating and authorizing you, Hon. Edward Gyang Pwajok, to immediately proceed with all necessary formalities at the National Assembly and write a letter to the Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara, to officially denounce your continued membership of the PDP and embrace the APC as a platform where we aspire to improve the lots of the constituency.”
Former State secretary of PDP, Mr. Dalyop Bok lamented that the party has lost relevance since former President Olusegun Obasanjo quit and declared it dead in 2015.
He noted that former Governor Jonah Jang held the party close to his chest since 2007 and kept on dictating what happens in the party, which led to its total collapsed during the 2015 governorship election in the state.
Pwajok, who addressed the crowd after the meeting, accepted the mandate of the people, assuring them he will betray their trust and decried politics of exclusion in the PDP.
He said the party has been enmeshed in leadership crisis since it lost power in 2015, adding that effort of former President Goodluck Jonathan to resolve the prolonged crisis has failed.
The lawmaker lamented over parallel factions that emerged after the 2016 state congresses in Plateau due to irregularities and sense of injustice that marred the election.
Those who spoke for the five districts included, Da. Kim Davou, Kuru District, Hon. Dalyop Jambol Lowang, Vwang District, Hon. Dickson Pam James, Zawang District, Joseph Gyang, Du District and Hon. Gideon Dandereng, Gyel District.
The Nation