Three serving senators from Kebbi State, elected under the banner of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have notified the Senate of their decision to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers—Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Senator Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Senator Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—submitted their defection letters which were read during Tuesday’s plenary session.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), presided over the session and read out the letters before the chamber.
Immediately after the announcement, the Senate chamber turned rowdy, with loud chants and applause lasting over fifteen minutes as the senators made their way to the majority wing of the chamber.
With this development, the number of APC senators in the 10th National Assembly has risen to 68, further consolidating the party’s majority status in the upper legislative chamber.
“With their movement, the number of APC Senators in the 10th National Assembly will increase to 68, strengthening the party’s majority in the upper chamber.”
The defections were witnessed by key political figures, including the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), the Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, and Senator Uche Ekwunife, among others.
The updated composition of the Senate is now as follows: APC – 68; PDP – 30; Labour Party – 5; NNPP – 2; SDP – 2 and APGA – 1.
In response to the development, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), praised the defections as part of the democratic process.
“This is the beauty of democracy. Our doors remain open to anyone who believes in the APC’s vision,” he said, adding that the move was voluntary and dismissing claims that Nigeria is heading toward a one-party state.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also described the return of the senators to the APC as a “homecoming,” noting that all three had originally been founding members of the party.
“Their return is not just a defection, but a homecoming,” he remarked.
