Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, bickered on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday following the defection of two senators from Taraba State to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
The lawmakers — Senator Shuaibu Lau (Taraba North) and Senator Haruna Manu (Taraba Central) — formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, a move that further deepened the numerical dominance of the APC in the 10th Senate.
Their defections were conveyed in separate letters addressed to the Senate and read by Senate president during plenary.
The Senate President read Senator Manu’s letter titled “Notification of Resignation” and stated that the member ascribed his decision to extensive deliberations and a review of Nigeria’s political reality.
“I have come to officially announce my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress. So I write with due respect to formally notify the Senate of my decision to withdraw from the PDP and align myself with the APC.
“The decision followed deep and extensive consultations with my constituency, political associates, key stakeholders and the developmental aspirations of the people I represent.
“I have become convinced that my conscience and contributions to the legislative and developmental agenda of my nation will be better advanced on the platform of the All Progressive Congress.
“I therefore request respectfully that my letter be read on the floor of the Senate and my defection duly noted in the records of the Senate.”
Akpabio also read a similar defection letter from Senator Lau, who expressed reservations over the PDP’s internal direction.
The letter read, “I hereby express my intention to defect from the People’s Democratic Party to join the All Progressives Congress, I have become increasingly concerned about the current party’s direction and internal issues.
“I believe the All Progressives Congress aligns more closely with my values and vision. Please accept this letter as formal notification of my defection to the All Progressives Congress.”
Following the reading of the letters, the two senators were greeted warmly by members of the APC Senate Caucus, prompting shouts from the majority benches.
Akpabio then took a jab at the opposition, openly insulting the minority caucus’ diminishing strength and urging Moro to respond.
“I am sure Senator Abba Moro has something to say about this. So please proceed,” he teased.
However, the Minority Leader downplayed the political significance of the defections, describing them as a familiar post-election trend.
“Mr President, I want to understand that you understand that it is no longer news. When my colleagues on this side of the aisle, in the true light of the election circle, have suddenly discovered that there is a progressive party after the election.
“I want to say at this juncture that I feel a little sad that a few persons sitting on the same platform with me on the PDP side have suddenly decided to move to another platform with my mandate.
“But I don’t feel offended because the reason they gave and the explanation they gave, honestly, are incorrect. They said the decision was taken after wide consultations. Mr President, we are all here,” he stated.
Akpabio, however, interrupted, saying, “You just mentioned that they entered with your mandate, which means there was concurrence on your side.”
Moro rejected the plan, questioning the senators’ claims of thorough consultations.
“Well, I take that as a comment from Mr President. But what I’m saying is that we are here on this side of the aisle. I don’t know their level of wide consultations, unless I don’t know the meaning again. Otherwise, when they say wide consultations and the leadership of the minority caucus is here, nobody has told anybody anything.
“I met with my other friend, the former deputy governor and distinguished senator, this morning. And I asked him that I hope what I’m hearing is not correct. Don’t go because it will not serve your interests. Meanwhile, he had already written a letter to give to you. And in the letter, he said a wide consultation.
“Look, if I say something now, you will not be happy. So, Mr President, all I can say at this point is that I wish them the best of luck. And I pray that the APC will be able to fulfil its aspirations.
“I have said it here before that the minority is not about whether it’s a minority of one, two, or 50. As long as there is a minority here, my people, some of whom have gravitated to this side, freely gave me the mandate to lead them in the minority caucus. I will not betray that trust. I will continue to remain the leader of the minority caucus until the end of this 10th Senate,” he pledged.
Unrelenting, Akpabio answered with further mockery, garnering laughter from the bulk of the seats.
“I’m glad that you are a wonderful man, because you just told me that even if you are the only one remaining, you will lead yourself. So I believe that this is leadership, even if you are leading yourself. So thank you for your speeches,” he teased.
The new defections highlight a rising trend in the 10th Senate, as opposition senators have continued to desert to the ruling party, either citing internal party conflicts or alignment with the federal government’s objectives.
With the latest development, the Senate’s composition now stands at 80 APC, 21 PDP, 2 Labour Party, 1 All Progressives Grand Alliance, 1 latest Nigeria Peoples Party, and 1 African Democratic Congress.
