Nine Senators from different political parties on Thursday, on the floor of the Nigerian Senate, formally announced their defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The Senators who defected to the ADC are Aminu Tambuwal, representing Sokoto South; Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South); Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South); Victor Umeh (Anambra Central); Tony Nwoye (Anambra North); Lawal Usman (Kaduna Central); Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South); Austin Akobundu (Abia Central); and Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory).
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio read their letters of defection during plenary.
Nwoye, in his own letter, explained that his decision was prompted by internal disputes within the Labour Party.
“I wish to tender my resignation amid the ongoing multiple litigations within the Labour Party, which have significantly affected the cohesion and stability of the party.
“Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem and regards,” Nwoye’s defection read.
After reading the letters, Akpabio welcomed the lawmakers to their new political platform but dismissed claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind the defections.
He said: “Deputy Senate President and Leader of the Senate, I hope you noticed that I have read (defections) from three different political parties now. So, you cannot accuse the ruling party of tampering with its leadership. Here, we have APGA, Labour, SDP, and all of them.
“So, all of them have a problem. They’ve not been able to put their parties together. So, the APC cannot be blamed for this.
“They are all out to ensure that we have what you call a minority status in this chamber, and I am very proud of them.”