Breaking: PDP loses 2 Senators, 3 House of Reps Members to APC

Two serving Senators from Akwa Ibom State, Senator Aniekan Bassey representing Akwa Ibom North East and Senator Ekong Sampson representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial districts have formally resigned their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The lawmakers cited unresolved internal crises for their decision and the need for proper alignment with their constituents and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Their separate resignation letters were read on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during plenary.

In his resignation letter, Senator Aniekan Bassey cited Sections 40 and 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, stating that the decision was “deeply considered” but “imperative” in light of prevailing political realities.

“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,” Bassey wrote.

He expressed appreciation to the PDP for the platform it had provided over the years but stressed that his defection was in the “overall interest” of his constituents in the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District.

In a Similar manner, Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South, also declared his exit from the PDP, describing the move as part of a larger political shift in the state.

“Politics is a game of interest, and if I may add, circumstances,” he said in his defection letter. “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 cited the defection of the state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to the APC and the growing alignment of political stakeholders in the state with the ruling party as key reasons behind his decision.

Welcoming the new members, the Senate Leader, on behalf of the APC caucus, stated: “I sincerely welcome our colleagues to the All Progressives Congress. This cannot be the end, more are coming.”

Also, three lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives same Wednesday, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

They are Hon. Ajilesoro Taofeek Abimbola and Hon. Omirin Olusanya, both from Osun State as well as Hon. Marcus Onobu from Edo State.

Their notices of defection were conveyed through separate letters read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen at resumed plenary on Wednesday.

In their respective letters, the two lawmakers cited protracted internal crises, unresolved divisions within the PDP and the need to join President Bola Tinubu in repositioning the economy as the reasons for their defections.

The APC national secretary, Senator Suraj Ajibola, who hails from Osun State, accompanied by some other party officials, was present on the floor of the House to witness the defection of the lawmakers.

In his reaction, the minority leader of the House, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, asked Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to comply with constitutional provisions and declare the seats of the defectors vacant.

Responding, Hon. Abbas, who presided over the plenary, merely told the leader of the opposition that his point of order was noted.

These defections are a significant blow to the PDP, particularly in Akwa Ibom, a state long regarded as a stronghold of the party and is a major boost to the APC’s growing influence in the South-South region.