The Leadership of the Senate has dismissed the insinuation of coercion over the influx of opposition party members into the ruling All Progressive Congress APC just as it was also admitted that such defections are not strange in democratic setting.
Both the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barawu and the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele stated this in their separate comments after reading the defection letters of three senators from Kebbi State from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All Progressive Congress.
“No one is being coerced. If anyone will be coerced, definitely it is not Senator Adamu Alero, it is not Professor Yahya Abdulahi that will be coerced, neither is it Senator Medoki who had also made a mark at the private sector before he ever go and try to do same in politics. They are not in politics so that they can feed.
But they recognize the fact that this is not the time for us to grandstand. This is the time for all of us to work together to take Nigeria to the next level.
And I say it again for the up-to-date time. Those who refer to this parliament as a rubber stamp should know that we are at a very critical stage of our national life when all hands will be on deck. It will not matter what party you belong to. What will matter to you is overriding public interest,” said Bamidele.
Similarly, the Deputy President of the Senate, Jibrin Barawu while congratulating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Abdulahi Ganduje who was on ground to receive the three Kebbi Senator said it is an indication that both the President and the party chairman are working well.
“Let me congratulate the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for this very big gain by the ruling party. Also, congratulion to the national chairman of the party for this gain. Of course, himself and the President have been working together and we have seen the results in the number of people coming to the party.
“It’s just a sign that the government is doing well and that’s why people are attracted because of the performance of the government. So all we need to tell Mr. President is that we commend what he’s doing. We also commend the government of Kebbi State the presence of your governor here shows that you are working in harmony with your people,” he said.
All three serving senators from Kebbi State – Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Musa Maidoki (Kebbi South), have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made during Tuesday’s plenary, where Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau read their separate letters of defection.
The Senators cited internal differences within the PDP and a disconnect from the aspirations of Nigerians as reasons for their defection. This move effectively leaves the PDP without any senate representation from Kebbi State.
The defections were marked by a notable presence of dignitaries in the senate chamber, including Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, former Governor Usman Sa’idu Nasamu, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, and Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu, former member of the Senate, Uche Ekwunife, among others.
Following the announcement, the three senators were allocated new seats on the APC side of the chamber, where they were warmly welcomed by fellow APC senators.
The first letter by Senator Adamu Aliero said: “As a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but also as a servant of the people guided by conscience, duty and commitment to progress, after deep reflection, extensive consultations, and careful assessment of the current political and socio-economic realities of our dear nation and my constituency, I have made the decision to formally resign my membership of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and rejoin the All Progressives Party, APC. of which i was a founding member.
“This decision was not made lightly. I’ve been a proud member of the PDP on whose platform i was elected to serve. However, politics must never be about personal loyalty to a platform. It will always be about service, solutions and results.
“Today, i make this move in response to a simple question that every responsible leader must ask himself or herself, what is best for the people i serve? Over the past months, it has become increasingly and manifestingly clear to me that the PDP as it currently stands has become disconnected from the aspirations of the very Nigerians it seeks to lead.
“Internal divisions, lack of ideological clarity and inability to provide a credible forward-looking agenda have made it difficult for leaders like me to pursue the reform and development agenda that our people deserve. On the other hand, the APC under his new leadership has shown encouraging signs of transformation,” he said.
According to him, while no political party is perfect he has witnessed a growing commitment within the APC to prioritise national interests above political expediency to drive infrastructure development, ensure security, empower the youth and reform critical sectors of the economy.
“I’m defecting not for personal gain but because i believe that in this moment in our history, the APC offers a more viable platform through which I can effectively serve my constituents. I came from progressive politics and i have helped to move Nigeria forward. To my supporters and constituents, I assure you i’m not changing my commitments to you, I’m only changing the platform through which that commitment is best served. I remain your voice, your advocate and your humble servant.
