The Nigerian Senate has announced the defection of three additional lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The senators are Amos Yohanna representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Aminu Iya Abbas representing Adamawa Central Senatorial District, and Ikra Aliyu Bilbis representing Zamfara Central Senatorial District.
Their letters of defection were read during plenary by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
The lawmakers said their decision to leave the PDP was largely influenced by internal crises affecting the party in their respective states.
Following the defections, the number of senators belonging to the APC has increased to 83, while the PDP’s representation has dropped to 19.
Other political parties represented in the chamber include the New Nigeria Peoples Party with one senator, the Social Democratic Party with one senator, the African Democratic Congress with four senators, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance with one senator. The Labour Party currently has no representation in the Senate.
Commenting on the wave of defections, Akpabio said the development shows that the country is moving in the right direction. He recalled that during the 8th National Assembly, the APC lost 34 members to the PDP but noted that the trend has now reversed.
According to him, the PDP has gradually lost members to the ruling party, which he said reflects growing confidence in the government.
Akpabio also attributed the defections partly to economic reforms introduced by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the harmonisation of foreign exchange rates and the removal of fuel subsidies.
He added that the reforms have helped reduce the dependence of state governments on borrowing while positioning Nigeria for stronger economic growth.
