FLASH: SDP gains another seat in House of Representatives
The Social Democratic Party(SDP) has recorded another defection of a serving House of Representative member from the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) to the party.
The Defection of Hon Salisu Garba Koko representing Maiyama/koko-Besse Federal constituency, Kebbi state in Nigeria was confirmed on Tuesday by the SDP National Publicity Secretary, Alfa Mohammed.
This development brings the number of lawmakers who have defected to SDP in less than two weeks from APC to two.
“Salisu Garba Koko (born) 1963, is a member of the Federal House of Representatives, representing the Maiyama/Koko/Besse Federal Constituency of Kebbi State under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).
“He attended Federal College Giginya and obtained Grade II Certificate in1 984. He studied at Niger State Polytechnic and obtained Diploma in the year 2013.
“In the year 2015, Koko was elected into the Federal House of Representatives, to represent the Maiyama/Koko/Besse Federal Constituency of Kebbi State under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC). His legislative interest covers health, agriculture, education, environment and housing. He targets active participation in passage of bills and in committee activities,” a statement issued by Mohammed read in part.
The SDP spokesman added that more reps members were being expected in the days ahead as SDP has become the most accommodating and promising party for those unjustly treated in other party.
Meanwhile, reports have indicated that the decision of the lawmaker to dump APC was as a result of the party’s inability to restore his stolen mandate during the concluded primaries.
The House of Reps. Member was quoted in media reports as saying, he had explored all lawful means to get his mandate restored to him but were frustrated by the powers that be hence his decision to leave the party.
It would be recalled that Hon Koko had claimed that genuine delegates were changed during their primaries which he drew the attention of the party but nothing was done to that effect.
According to him, even the committee set up by the party to attend to issues of irregularities during the primaries didn’t help matters.