Two Akwa Ibom lawmakers defect from PDP to APC — raises senate tally to 70

Sampson Ekong, senator representing Akwa Ibom south, and Aniekan Bassey, the Akwa Ibom north-east lawmaker, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read their letters of defection during Wednesday’s plenary.

In his letter, Bassey said his decision was “deeply considered” and driven by political realities in his constituency.

“This decision, though deeply considered, 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.

“It is taken in the overall interest of my people to continue to provide effective representation in accordance with my constitutional right.

“I sincerely thank the People’s Democratic Party for the platform it provided when it was together to serve the good people of Akwa Ibom Northeast Senatorial District.

“I also extend my gratitude to my colleagues, party leaders, and supporters who stood by me throughout my time in the party.”

Ekong, in his letter, said his decision followed extensive consultations and the defection of Akwa Ibom governor Umo Eno to the APC.

“This development has come after a range of consultations with my constituents following the switch of even my state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to the APC and the need to strengthen collaborations to develop my senatorial district and the larger Akwa Ibom State,” he said.

“Politics is a game of interest, and if I may add, circumstances. The current division in the People’s Democratic Party leaves me with no other option than to seek an alternative platform to continue to serve the good people of my constituency and Nigeria as a whole.

“Despite the switch, I look forward to working with my new partymen and women in the All Progressives Congress and indeed the Senate, as well as the well-meaning Nigerians in the pursuit of ideals that have always inspired my political odyssey.”

TWO OSUN SENATORS FORMALLY JOIN APC

Akpabio also read the defection letters of Francis Fadahunsi, senator representing Osun east, and Olubiyi Fadeyi, senator representing Osun central — both of whom formally resigned their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In his letter, Fadahunsi said his political journey had compelled him to align with “like-minded individuals” and lawmakers committed to driving meaningful change at all levels of governance.

“I promise to bring my wealth of experience to bear at ensuring the victory of the APC from top to bottom,” he wrote.

Fadeyi, in his own letter, attributed his exit to the PDP’s alleged failure to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

“The people of my hometown, my senatorial district, and the nation at large cry out for dividends of democracy, infrastructural development, education, and good health, and of course employment opportunities, which today the fractured People’s Democratic Party cannot provide,” he said.

“As a senator, I am committed to representing the interests of my people, but I can no longer do so under the current circumstances of violence, mistrust, and lack of leadership.

“The numerous court cases involving party members have tarnished the party’s image, disrupted its core mission, and fractured the umbrella.”

With the recent defections, the configuration of the senate has further tilted in favour of the ruling party.

The APC now commands a dominant majority with 70 seats. The PDP holds 28 seats, while the Labour Party has 5.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) occupies 2 seats, with the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) holding one seat each.