Mark Esset, a member of the House of Representatives from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has switched allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Esset, who represents the Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State and chairs the House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations, formally announced his defection in a letter read during Tuesday’s plenary. The session was presided over by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
In his letter, Esset attributed his decision to unresolved internal conflicts within the PDP. His exit adds to the growing wave of defections from the party, especially among lawmakers from Akwa Ibom—a state previously seen as a PDP stronghold.
The move, however, was greeted with immediate pushback from the opposition. Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda raised a constitutional objection, citing Section 68(1)(g), which permits defections only if there is a national-level division within a party. He argued that Esset’s seat should be declared vacant.
Deputy Speaker Kalu quickly overruled the objection, allowing the defection to proceed.
With Esset’s departure, the number of Akwa Ibom lawmakers who have joined the APC in under a month has risen to eight, highlighting changing political dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections.
Previous defectors include Unyime Idem (Ukanafun/Oruk Anam), Esin Etim (Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue Offong/Oruko), Ekpo Asuquo (Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium), Uduak Odudoh (Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo), Okpolupm Etteh (Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno/Onna), and Okon Bassey (Itu/Ibiono Ibom), among others.
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