By Our Reporter
Amos Gwamna Magaji, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Magaji, who represents the Jaba/Zango Kataf Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, cited unresolved crises within the PDP at both national and local levels as the reason for his defection.
Magaji, who is currently the Chairman of the House Committee on Health Care Services, has served two terms in the House of Representatives. He also holds the position of Chairman of the Kaduna caucus and is the Deputy Chairman of the House Special Ad-hoc Committee on the Restructuring of Government Agencies and Commissions, which is reviewing the recommendations of the Stephen Oronsaye report.
In addition to his current roles, Magaji has served on several House committees, including those on Defense, Reformation Institutions, Rules & Business, Christian Pilgrimage, Police Affairs, F.C.T Area Councils, and represents Kaduna in the House Committee on Constitution Review.
Magaji’s defection marks the third such move by a PDP member to the APC since the inauguration of the 10th Assembly, following the departures of Chris Nkwonta and Eriatheke Ibori-Suenu.
In response to the defection, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda has called on the Speaker to declare Magaji’s seat vacant. Citing Section 68(1g) of the Constitution, Chinda emphasized that while the law allows a member to leave the party on whose platform they were elected, it also stipulates the consequences, including the loss of the seat. He argued that Magaji’s actions have not complied with the legal provisions, warranting the loss of his seat.