22 Senators Set to Leave PDP for APC

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At least 22 Senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are set to defect to the All Progressive Congress (APC). The intention comes despite a trouble-shooting visit to the Senate by the embattled National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, on December 4, 2013, Wednesday.

According to The Nation, who interviewed a Senator familiar with the development on December 6, 2013, Friday, it’s “just a matter of time” before the group switches to the APC.

“After the successful defection of the five governors to the APC, the National Assembly is the next theatre of defection,” the source said.

He further added that the three Senators from one of the Northwest states were so “pissed off with Tukur” that they walked out on him during the Senate visit.

The identities of the Senators cannot be disclosed, however, it s presumed that two to three senators will move from each of Jigawa, Sokoto States, Adamawa, Kano, Gombe, Kwara, Rivers and Borno States where two to three senators and one each from Nasarawa, Taraba, Kebbi and Niger States.

PDP currently has 72 members, APC has 33, LP 3 and APGA 1 in the Senate.

A similar move in the House of Representatives is already generating tension in the chamber following a move by some members to sack principal officers like Depputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, Majority Leader Mulikat Akande- Adeola, Deputy Leader Leo Ogor, Chief Whip Isiaka Bawa and Deputy Chief Whip Ahmed Mohammed. However, Speaker Aminu Tambuwal is said to have prevailed on the members to soft pedal.

The number of APC members in the House has is believed to have risen beyond the stipulated 181 in the House rules with the defection of the five PDP governors to APC. The strength of the APC in the House was tested during this week’s plenary proceedings as they blocked a motion perceived to be against their interest.

“APC has exceeded 181 as at today. Before the PDP governors joined us, the number was 137. As you know, the rules stipulate 181. Once that is reached, the configuration changes,” an anonymous member of the APC in House said.

This position was confirmed by Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila of the APC, who posited that the strength of members of the party in the House is over 181.

“The new arithmetic of the lawmakers in the House is 137, existing APC members plus 57 new PDP members that recently joined, making a total of 194 members,” another APC lawmaker said.