By ThankGod Inalegwu
Four members of the Senate on Tuesday formally announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as the upper legislative chamber resumed plenary after its short recess.
The lawmakers who declared their defection are Amos Yohanna representing Adamawa North, Aminu Abbas representing Adamawa Central, Aliyu Bilbis representing Zamfara North, and Ipalibo Banigo representing Rivers West Senatorial District.
Their letters of defection, addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, were read on the floor of the chamber during plenary.
In the separate letters, the lawmakers attributed their decision to leave the PDP to what they described as deepening and irreconcilable divisions within the party, which they said had made it increasingly difficult for them to function effectively as members.
According to the senators, the persistent internal crisis within the PDP has weakened the party’s structure and hindered its ability to provide a cohesive platform for political engagement and development.
They noted that their decision followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and constituents across their respective senatorial districts, adding that the move reflects the wishes and interests of the people they represent.
The lawmakers further pledged their full loyalty and commitment to the APC, expressing readiness to contribute to the party’s legislative agenda and national development efforts.
Their defection is expected to further strengthen the numerical strength of the APC in the Senate and deepen the challenges currently facing the opposition PDP as it grapples with internal disputes and party realignments ahead of future political contests.
The development drew reactions from some lawmakers during plenary, with observers noting that the wave of defections may reshape political alignments within the National Assembly in the coming months.