In a dramatic political shift, the entire 3 Senators from Kebbi State on Tuesday formally defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal crises and leadership failure within the PDP.
Those who switched are Senator Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central),
Senator Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi South), and Senator Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), a former Senate Leader.
Their defection letters were read on the floor of the Senate by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, during plenary.
Senator Adamu Aliero, in his letter, said his decision followed deep reflection and wide consultations.
He criticized the PDP for becoming disconnected from the people and riddled with internal divisions and ideological confusion.
Senator Aliero added that these division has become difficult for people like him to function within the PDP.
The former Kebbi State governor stated the APC has shown commitment to transformation, youth empowerment, and national security, noting that returning to the APC of which he was a founding member was in the best interest of the people he represents.
The second defecting Senator Yahaya Abdullahi explained that he initially resigned from the APC in June 2022 due to internal disputes in Kebbi State.
However, with those disagreements now resolved by the current governor, he said it was time to return to the Party.
The lawmaker stated that his decision was taken after careful consideration and consultation, and has decided to return and support the current administration’s development agenda.
He noted that the PDP remains in disarray after its loss in the 2023 general elections.
Senator Garba Musa Maidoki who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Legislative Compliance pointed to severe security challenges in his constituency as part of the reason for his decision to dump the PDP and join the ruling APC.
He stated that upon assuming office in 2023, over 100 villages in his district were occupied by bandits, but that with the recent military deployments, his people have returned and resettled.
He said he will work with the President to build a better Nigeria, describing the APC as a party committed to progressive development.
The Senate chamber was filled with top-ranking APC figures who came to witness the defections.
They included; the APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje; Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris; Deputy National Chairman of the APC, National Organizing Secretary of the APC, Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Former Deputy Governor of Kebbi State; Farouk Lawan, a former influential Member of the House of Representatives; Secretary to the Kebbi State Government and Senator Uche Ekwunife, among others.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele welcomed the new members, saying their decision was not about Party affiliation, but about public service.
He added that their decision is not on coercion but conviction, explaining that when PDP was in power, there were similar defections and such decisions are based on interest of the nation
He emphasized that the APC remains open to more defectors and committed to working with minority parties for national development.
Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin congratulated the defecting Senators and praised the Kebbi State Governor for maintaining unity and cooperation among the Senators from the State.
With Tuesday’s defections, the composition of the 10th Senate now stands as:
• APC – 68 seats
• PDP – 30 seats
• Labour Party – 5 seats
• SDP – 2 seats
• NNPP – 1 seat
• APGA – 1 seatThis brings the total number of occupied Senate seats to 107, with 2 seats currently vacant
The Anambra South senatorial district seat is vacant following the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in 2024, while that of the Edo Central was vacated by Senator Monday Okpebholo after he was elected Governor of Edo State in September 2024.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
