The senators cited internal differences within the PDP and a disconnect from the aspirations of Nigerians as reasons for their defection.
In a significant political development, all three serving senators from Kebbi State – Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi South), have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made during Tuesday’s plenary, where Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau read their separate letters of defection.
The senators cited internal differences within the PDP and a disconnect from the aspirations of Nigerians as reasons for their defection. This move effectively leaves the PDP without any senate representation from Kebbi state.
The defections were marked by a notable presence of dignitaries in the senate chamber, including Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, former Governor Usman Sa’idu Nasamu, APC national chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, former member of the Senate, Uche Ekwunife, among others.
Following the announcement, the three senators were allocated new seats on the APC side of the chamber, where they were warmly welcomed by fellow APC senators. The chamber resonated with cheers as the defectors were embraced into their new party fold.
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This defection follows recent similar moves by Senators Ned Nwoko and Kawu Sumaila, who left the PDP and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), respectively, to join the APC.
This development mirrors a recent political shift in Delta State, where a significant number of PDP lawmakers at both state and federal levels have defected to the APC. Notably, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori led a mass defection, taking along about 21 members of the Delta State House of Assembly to the APC.
With these latest defections, the APC’s presence in the senate has increased to 68 seats, while the PDP’s representation has decreased to 30. The Labour Party holds 5 seats, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has 2, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has 1, bringing the total to 107 occupied seats.
Two seats remain vacant: Anambra south, due to the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, and Edo Central, following Sen. Monday Okpebholo’s election as Governor of Edo state.
This shift further consolidates the APC’s dominance in the senate, potentially impacting legislative dynamics and the balance of power within Nigeria’s political landscape.
