~With the defection, the APC has 24 out of 26 members, while the PDP has two members in the assembly.
Two members of the Ondo State House of Assembly, elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Afe and Tope Agbulu, on Tuesday joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mr Afe is the member representing Akoko North-West 2, while Mr Agbulu represents Akoko South-West 2 in the assembly.
The letters of resignation of the two lawmakers were read at the plenary by the assembly clerk, Benjamin Jayeola.
The duo cited irreconcilable differences within the PDP in the state as the reason for their resignation.
Mr Afe stated that he had made a wide consultation with his constituents and major stakeholders before making the decision.
According to him, APC, as a political platform, will enable him to deliver more dividends of democracy to his constituency.
Similarly, Mr Agbulu said that APC is the most viable political platform to serve his constituents, thanking the PDP for its support during his membership.
With the defection, the APC has 24 out of 26 members, while the PDP has two members in the assembly.
Earlier, the assembly enjoined the state executive council to implement the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) for its staff.
The Ondo chapter of the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) had given a 21-day ultimatum for the implementation of CONLESS by the state government.
The House’s majority leader, Olatunji Oshati(Ose/APC), said the non-implementation of CONLESS in the state was a matter of public interest, adding that the legislative arm had taken it upon itself to intervene.
Mr Oshati appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to consider the agitation of the Assembly staff.
He added that other states in the South-West had implemented the salary structure for the staff of their respective Houses of Assembly.
The majority leader, therefore, urged the staff to exercise more patience and allow the assembly to intervene for a peaceful resolution.
Similarly, the speaker, Olamide Oladiji, asked the assembly staff not to take the law into their own hands but to allow dialogue instead of confrontation.
Mr Oladiji, who commended the staff’s patience, assured them that the assembly’s leadership would discuss the matter with the governor to find a resolution.
(NAN)