WorldStage Newsonline– Four more senators of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Their letters of defection were read separately on the floor of the chamber by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary.
The senators are, Francis Fadahunsi (Osun), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun), Akon Samson (Akwa-Ibom) and Aniekan Bassey (Akwa-Ibom).
The National Secretary of the APC, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, Chris Ngige and some APC members in the House of Representatives were allowed into the chamber to witness the proceedings.
With the defection of the four senators from Osun and Akwa-Ibom, the number of APC senators is now 70, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP); 28.
The senators of the Labour Party (LP); five, Social Democratic Party (SDP); two, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA); one, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); one while two seats are still vacant.
Senator Bassey who cited a fractured PDP and pledged loyalty to the APC’s “Renewed Hope” and Governor Umo Eno’s “Arise” agendas.
Senator Samson praised the political alignment of Akwa Ibom’s leadership with the APC, stating “in Akwa Ibom’s head, the earth has moved.”
Senator Fadahunsi expressed disillusionment with PDP’s internal litigations and leadership vacuum.
Two additional senators, whose letters were read by the Senate President, joined the APC on similar grounds of “strategic interest” and alignment with President Tinubu’s policies.
Receiving the defectors, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele declared, “This is not the end. The wind is blowing strong and in our favour.”
Other Developments included Senate receiving a letter from President Tinubu nominating Professor Yusuf Mohammed Yusuf as Commissioner of the Nigerian Law Reform Commission.
He replaces Professor Fatima Alkali, who failed to appear for Senate confirmation.
The nomination was immediately referred to the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters for legislative action.
