Chris Nkwonta, an Abia lawmaker in the House of Representatives, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Nkwonta announced his defection on Wednesday in a letter the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, read on the floor of the House.

The lawmaker represents Ukwa East/Ukwa West Federal Constituency Abia of Abia state.

However, the Deputy Minority Leader, Aliyu Madaki protested the defection, citing Order 68 of the 1999 Constitution.

Madaki said the a lawmaker can only dump the party that sponsored his election if there is crisis in the party.

His point of order was ruled out of order by the Speaker, who said there is crisis in the PDP.

“The information available to me shows there is a faction,” the Speaker said to cheers from the APC bench.