The Nigerian Senate has announced the defection of three additional lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
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 in the Senate 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 chamber.
Commenting on the wave of defections, Akpabio described the development as an indication 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 said the trend has now reversed. According to him, the PDP has gradually emptied into the ruling party, which he said reflects growing confidence in the government.
Akpabio attributed the defections partly to economic reforms introduced by Bola Tinubu, including the harmonisation of foreign exchange rates, the removal of fuel subsidies and other fiscal reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s economic management.
He added that these reforms have reduced the dependence of state governments on borrowing while positioning Nigeria on what he described as a path toward stronger economic growth.
