The ruling All Progressives Congress’ (APC) ranks in the National Assembly continued to swell as four senators from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have defected to the party.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the letters of the defecting senators, which included Samson Ekong, the senator representing Akwa Ibom South, Sen. Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East), Sen. Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), and Sen. Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), during Wednesday’s plenary.
In his letter, Bassey said his decision was “deeply considered” and driven by political realities in his constituency.
The letter reads: “This decision, though deeply considered, has become imperative in view of the prevailing political developments both in my constituency and within the party structure which has been fractured beyond redemption.
“It is taken in the overall interest of my people to continue to provide effective representation in accordance with my constitutional right.
“I sincerely thank the People’s Democratic Party for the platform it provided when it was together to serve the good people of Akwa Ibom Northeast Senatorial District.
“I also extend my gratitude to my colleagues, party leaders, and supporters who stood by me throughout my time in the party.”
Ekong, in his letter, said his decision followed extensive consultations and the defection of Akwa Ibom governor Umo Eno to the APC.
It states: “This development has come after a range of consultations with my constituents following the switch of even my state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, to the APC and the need to strengthen collaborations to develop my senatorial district and the larger Akwa Ibom State.
“Politics is a game of interest, and if I may add, circumstances. The current division in the People’s Democratic Party leaves me with no other option than to seek an alternative platform to continue to serve the good people of my constituency and Nigeria as a whole.
“Despite the switch, I look forward to working with my new party men and women in the All Progressives Congress and indeed the Senate, as well as the well-meaning Nigerians in the pursuit of ideals that have always inspired my political odyssey.”
On his part, Fadahunsi said his political journey had compelled him to align with “like-minded individuals” and lawmakers committed to driving meaningful change at all levels of governance.
“I promise to bring my wealth of experience to bear at ensuring the victory of the APC from top to bottom,” he wrote.
For Fadeyi, his exit is due to the PDP’s alleged failure to “meet the expectations of Nigerians.”
The letter reads: “The people of my hometown, my senatorial district, and the nation at large cry out for dividends of democracy, infrastructural development, education, and good health, and of course employment opportunities, which today the fractured People’s Democratic Party cannot provide.
“As a senator, I am committed to representing the interests of my people, but I can no longer do so under the current circumstances of violence, mistrust, and lack of leadership.
“The numerous court cases involving party members have tarnished the party’s image, disrupted its core mission, and fractured the umbrella.”
Persecondnews reports that the defections occurred two months after Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, and Garba Maidoki, representing Kebbi Central, North, and South respectively, and five months after Ned Nwoko, the senator representing Delta North, defected from the PDP to the APC.
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