The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) further suffered another loss in number of Senators in the Nigerian Senate on Tuesday with defection of Senator Banigo Ipalibo representing Rivers West, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senator Ipalibo ‘s defection to APC as read in a letter by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio during plenary, reduced number of Senators on the platform of PDP in the Senate from 18 to 17 which is far lesser than 36 Senators it had from inception of the 10th Senate in June 2023.
Even among the 17 Senators remaining on the platform of PDP in the Senate , not less than six of them may defect to APC or the African Democratic Congress ( ADC) in the coming weeks.
Indication to this effect emerged from disclosure made by Senator Akpabio before reading Senator Ipalibo’s letter that other ones on defection have been forwarded to him by affected Senators .
According to Senator Akpabio , many of such letters have already been forwarded to him for announcements but needed to be stood down in honour of late Senator Mpigi Barinada ( Rivers South East) whose death made Senate to suspend plenary on Tuesday to Wednesday this week.
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Senator Ipalibo in her letter of defection, said her move arose from the need to get a stable and progressive platform like APC to advance legislative and developmental agenda of her constituency and that of the Nation at large, since PDP has been swallowed by prevailing internal divisions and protracted leadership disputes since last year.
She added that the need to join her political mentor, Nyesom Wike and the Executive Governor of Rivers State , Siminalayi Fubara in supporting President Bola Tinubu to actualize his re – election bid and continue his evident economic reforms, also made her to defect .
“I am convinced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) offers a more stable and progressive platform to advance the legislative and developmental agenda of my constituency and the nation at large.
“This decision is also predicated on my resolve to join my political mentor, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, in supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in actualising his re-election bid and also to enable the President to continue his evident economic reforms, which have significantly improved the economic situation, enhanced currency stability, and driven numerous infrastructural developments across the country.
“I sincerely appreciate the President’s fatherly role in fostering political stability and strengthening governance in Rivers State, particularly through his peace – building and reconciliation efforts.”
Speaking to journalists on her defection after plenary, Senator Ipalibo explained further that infrastructural projects being carried out in Rivers State by President Tinubu facilitated her joining the APC for more of the development – driven projects.