15 senators from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have defected, with 13 of them going to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This makes the PDP the new majority in the upper chamber.
The senate’s official Twitter handle disclosed the defection, saying the announcement was made by senate president Bukola Saraki during plenary on Tuesday.
The senators include: Dino Melaye (Kogi), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Barnabas Gemade (Benue), Shaaba Lafiaji (Kwara), Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara), Abdulazeez Nyako (Adamawa), Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo), Usman Nefada (Gombe), Isah Misau (Bauchi), Abdullahi Danbaba, Suleiman Hunkuyi, Suleiman Nazif, Lanre Tejuoso, Ubali Shittu, and Soji Akanbi.
Senators Sunmonu and Nyako defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the senate announced.
Senators @MonsuratSpeaks and Abdul-Aziz Nyako defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). https://t.co/6ueIfgPWvE
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 24, 2018
With this development, PDP now holds the majority position in the upper chamber.
Saraki had hinted on the planned defection after the police invited him again over his alleged involvement in the Offa robbery. The senate president had said that the invitation was a plot to stop the defection.
Police officers and officials of the EFCC had besieged Saraki and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu‘s residences on Tuesday in what reports say is a plot to get other senators to impeach him. Saraki however found his way to the national assembly to preside over the day’s plenary.
Senate President, @bukolasaraki announces defection of Senators: @lanretejuoso, Shaaba Lafiagi, @BI_Gemade, @dino_melaye, Ubali Shittu, @rafiuibrahim, @SenIsahMisau, Suleiman Hunkuyi, @MonsuratSpeaks, Abdullahi Danbaba, Bayero Nafada, Suleiman Nazif, @RMKwankwaso…
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 24, 2018
…Abdul-Aziz Nyako, Soji Akanbi to PDP.#TodayInSenatePlenary
— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 24, 2018
Editor’s Note: This post has been updated to add that Senator Sunmonu and Nyako defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
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