In a stunning political shift, three prominent senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), shaking up the balance of power in the Senate.
The trio-Adamu Aliero of Kebbi Central, Yahaya Abdullahi of Kebbi North, and Garba Maidoki of Kebbi South-announced their defection in separate letters read out during Tuesday’s plenary by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
The lawmakers cited the PDP’s ongoing leadership crisis, marred by bitter internal divisions and unresolved litigations, as the key reason for their dramatic exit.
Earlier, the senators were spotted in a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, alongside APC heavyweights including National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, Sokoto State Governor Ahmad Aliyu, and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning Atiku Bagudu.
While the purpose of the meeting was initially kept under wraps, it has since been revealed that it was to finalize their defection plans to the APC.
The formal defection in the Senate was accompanied by a warm reception from APC members, including Ganduje, Governor Idris, and Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs Tanko Yusuf.
Following the reading of their letters, the three senators were congratulated by the Deputy Senate President and warmly welcomed into the APC fold.
They exchanged pleasantries with fellow APC lawmakers before being escorted to their new seats in the Majority section of the chamber.
With this defection, Premium Times reports that the APC’s senate strength now rises to 68, while the PDP’s numbers dwindle to 30.
