No fewer than 15 senators and 37 members of the House of Representatives belonging to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, defected from the ruling party to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Senate President, Bukola Saraki announced the defection of the lawmakers.
The defectors cited that APC was being factionalised, hence, they would not continue to pursue their political careers under the ruling party.
The senators in a joint letter to the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, made their intention known.
The letter reads:
Dear Senate President,
After due consultation, with our constituents and stakeholders in our constituency, in proper recognition section 16 (1G) of the 1999 constitution, and for the fact of our party, The All Progressives Congress, we hereby inform the Senate that we the undersigned;
Senators:
Dino Melaye
Barnabas Gemade
Ibrahim Danbaba
Shaaba Lafiaji
Mohammed Shitu
Rafiu Ibrahim
Suleiman Hunkuyi
Isa Misau
Monsurat Sunmonu
Soji Akanbi
Usman Nafada
Musa Kwankwaso
Suleiman Nazif
Lanre Tejuosho
We hereby inform you that we are changing our political affiliation from APC to PDP. We thank you for your exemplary leadership.
In a follow-up announcement, Mr Saraki said, Senator Abdulazaz Nyako, has also announced his defection.
However, the Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawal opposed the defection, saying the action of the affected lawmakers should be quarantined while the letter written by the defected lawmakers should be stood down.