The Senate on Wednesday formally welcomed four lawmakers who have defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), significantly strengthening the APC’s majority in the upper legislative chamber.
The defecting Senators are:
- Senator Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South)
- Senator Etim Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East)
- Senator Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East)
- Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central)
Read Also: Three PDP Reps Defect To APC
Following the defections, the Senate temporarily suspended its rules to accommodate high-profile APC officials who were present to witness the event.
These officials included the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru; the Chairman of the APC in Osun State, Tajudeen Lawal; several members of the House of Representatives; and former Minister, Chris Ngige.
With this latest shift, the APC now holds a commanding 72 seats in the 10th Senate, a substantial increase from the 50 seats it held when the current Assembly began in June 2023.
Conversely, the PDP’s representation has dwindled to 26 seats, following a series of defections not only from its own ranks but also from the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele commented on the defections, describing them as a testament to 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 stated.
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