The Imo State House of Assembly on Thursday witnessed a gale of defections as eighteen members of the House defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the Action Alliance (AA).

The Speaker of the House, Acho Ihim who led the defectors made the announcement during an emergency sitting held  in the  chambers of the State House of Assembly in Owerri.

Just law week, Governor Rochas Okorocha’s anointed governorship candidate and son-in-law, Uche Nwosu dumped the APC for the AA after he was denied the gubernatorial ticket of the ruling party in the state.

Prior to Thursday’s defections, there had been a tussle of supremacy between sectional groups of lawmakers in the assembly, leading to the failed impeachment of the state’s current Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere.

In return, Madumere’s failed impeachment led to the suspension of five lawmakers; Ifeanyi Nnatataonye, Uche Oguwuike, Donatus Onuigwe, Kenna Nzeruo and Chiji Collins over alleged unconstitutional activities.

The suspension of the lawmakers was however nullified by an Owerri High Court presided over by Justice Goddy Anunihu, who held that their suspension did not follow due process.