Two Senators from Rivers State, loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Nigerian Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defecting lawmakers are; Senator Allwell Onyesoh, who represents Rivers East Senatorial District, and Senator Barinada Mpigi, a two-time Senator representing Rivers South-East district.
Their separate letters of defection were read on the floor of the Senate during Tuesday’s plenary.
In the letters, the senators said their decision followed extensive consultations with their constituents and was taken in the interest of ensuring effective representation in the Red Chamber.
They cited persistent internal crises within the PDP, which they said have led to deep divisions at the national, state, and ward levels.
According to them, the situation has made their continued membership of the party untenable and has hindered their ability to effectively discharge their legislative responsibilities.
The senators urged their colleagues to understand that the PDP remains fractured, noting that no concrete steps have been taken to resolve the issues within the party.
They, however, assured that their commitment to human capital development and transformative governance in Rivers State remains unwavering, adding that landmark development would continue to be their focus.
The high-profile defection was attended by several APC leaders, including Senator Magnus Abe, members of the House of Representatives, the APC Deputy National Chairman (North), the National Secretary of the party, Ajibola Basiru, APC Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom Vice Chairman (North-Central), National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka.
Others who witnessed the defection were the APC Deputy National Women Leader, National Youth Leader, Deputy National Publicity Secretary, as well as the Rivers State APC Chairman and the State party Secretary.
With the latest defections, the PDP now has only one senator from Rivers State, who previously served as Deputy Governor during Nyesom Wike’s tenure as Governor of the State.
The APC now holds 78 out of the 109 seats in the Nigerian Senate.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
