By Abiola Olawale
In another massive blow to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), three serving senators from Kebbi State have declared their intention to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement follows a high-profile meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Friday.
The senators—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—were accompanied by APC National Chairman Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Kebbi State Governor Dr Nasir Idris, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu.
Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Ganduje said that development signals the growing influence of APC across the country.
On the issue of a party state, Ganduje said it is not by force but by negotiation.
He said: “Almost every week in the Senate or House of Representatives, you see members of other political parties joining APC.
“We came here so that Mr. President can see this resolution and by Tuesday, you will see what will happen in the chambers.
“If one party state is a wish and blessing to Nigeria, one-party state is not by force; it is by negotiations.”
The defection is expected to be formalized on the Senate floor next week.
The defection marks a critical gain for the APC, boosting its Senate representation to 68 seats while reducing the PDP’s to 30.
