Member representing Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom State, in the House of Representatives, Mark Udo Esset, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Esset, who chairs the House of Representatives Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations, announced his defection on Tuesday in a letter read during plenary presided over by Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.

Esset said his defection was motivated by a crisis in his former party.

However, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, raised a point of order, urging the presiding officer to uphold the constitutional provisions on defection, declaring Esset’s seat vacant.

Kalu, however, ruled him out of order.

Esset’s defection adds to the growing number of opposition lawmakers who have crossed over to the ruling party amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It also came barely three weeks after seven members of the House from Akwa Ibom State defected to the APC.
The defectors include six lawmakers elected on the platform of the PDP and one from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).

Among the PDP defectors are Unyime Idem, who represents Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency; Esin Etim, representing Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue Offong/Oruko Federal Constituency; and Ekpo Asuquo from Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency.

Others were Uduak Odudoh, who represents Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo; Okpolupm Etteh, representing Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno/Onna, and Okon Bassey, from Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.