Representative Chisom Dike (Rivers) declared his defection from Peoples Democratic Party to All Progressives Congress on Thursday amid caution by House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila that Nigeria cannot afford to have a one party state.

Mr Dike, announcing his defection at plenary, cited division within the PDP.

His defection letter was, however, read by the speaker  to members.

Mr Gbajabiamila said the House had taken judicial notice of the division in the PDP, adding that on that note, Mr Dike should be admitted to the APC.

He called on the Clerk of the House to, as a matter of urgency, compile the number of members in each political party in the house.

Meanwhile, Osai Osai (PDP- Delta) had raised an objection to Dike’s defection, citing relevant law to back his claim.

He said that a member defecting to another party was mandated by law to present valid reasons for such defection, adding that the PDP  remained united.

Ndudi Elumelu, the Minority Leader,  had earlier faulted the defection, stressing that the APC was harassing and luring opposition to join its fold.

He said that despite the level of insecurity, unemployment, kidnapping and decay in infrastructure, the APC forced  people to defect to the party.

Earlier, Alhassan  Ado-Dogwa,  Leader of the House, taunted the minority leader that more opposition would still join the APC.

Mr Gbajabiamila, however,  said that it would be wrong to turn the country to a one party state. 

(NAN)