• PDP’s Plummet to 50
By Abiola Olawale
Four senators on Wednesday formally announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors include Senator Ekong Samson, the lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom South senatorial district of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Etim Bassey, the lawmaker representing Akwa Ibom North East senatorial district of Akwa Ibom, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, the lawmaker representing Osun East senatorial district of Osun State, and Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, the lawmaker representing Osun Central senatorial district.
Their defection letters were read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Wednesday.
Akpabio also relaxed the rules of the Senate to allow some high-profile APC officials, including the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru; Chairman of the APC in Osun State, Tajudeen Lawal; members of the House of Representatives, and former Minister, Chris Ngige, into the red chamber to witness the wave of defections.
Speaking on the floor of the Senate, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, described the defections as a demonstration of democratic principles in action.
“For us, it is not just about the numbers. We have a serious job ahead to ensure that members and stakeholders remain committed to the ideals of our party. We are doing everything possible to move Nigeria to the next level, and we do not take this momentum for granted,” Bamidele said.
The New Diplomat reports that following the formal defection, APC number in the Senate has grown to 70 seats, up from the 50 seats it held at the commencement of the current Assembly in June 2023.
Meanwhile, PDP’s numbers have dropped to 28.
