By James Adamu, Abuja
The number of All Progressives Congress (APC) senators rose to 70 on Wednesday following the defection of four senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party.
The senators -Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South) -formally announced their exit from the PDP during plenary.
President of the Senate Godswill Akpabio, read their resignation letters in the chamber and directed the Clerk of the Senate to officially record the defections.
With the latest switch, the composition of the 10th Senate now stands as follows: APC 70, PDP 28, Labour Party 5, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 1, Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2, and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) 1.
The defections were witnessed by top APC officials, including the National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Basiru, former Minister of Labour and Productivity Senator Chris Ngige, and some members of the House of Representatives who were present in solidarity.
Observers believe the development is a major political upset for the PDP, particularly in Akwa Ibom State, historically considered a party stronghold. Conversely, the APC is expected to consolidate further control in the region.
In his resignation letter, Senator Aniekan Bassey invoked Sections 40 and 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution and said his defection was “deeply considered” and “imperative.”
“This decision has become imperative in view of the prevailing political developments both in my constituency and within the party structure, which has been fractured beyond redemption,” he wrote.
Bassey acknowledged the PDP for the platform it had provided but emphasised that his move was in the “overall interest” of his constituents in Akwa Ibom North East.
Reacting to the defections, Senate President Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom and leading APC figure, dramatically welcomed Bassey.
“Senator Aniekan Abasi has now joined the APC. I welcome him with open arms. He has depleted the rank and file of the left-hand side to populate the right-hand side,” he said.
Senator Samson Ekong also defended his decision, linking it to political shifts in Akwa Ibom.
“Politics is a game of interest, and if I may add, circumstances,” he said. “In Akwa Ibom State, the earth has moved with the convergence of principal political players on the APC platform. My people have high hopes for commensurate reward systems from the APC power matrix,” he said.
Ekong further cited the defection of Akwa Ibom Governor Pastor Umoh Eno to the APC and the mass alignment of political stakeholders in the state with the ruling party as key motivators.
Welcoming the defectors, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said, “I sincerely welcome our colleagues to the All Progressives Congress. This cannot be the end, more are coming.”
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