Melaye, Kwankwaso, 12 Other Senators Defect To PDP

Fourteen senators on Tuesday defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC). Senator Dino Melaye, former Governor of Kano Rabiu Kwankwaso and 11 others senators defected from the APC to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while one other Senator is undecided on which party to join.

 The Senate President, Bukola Saraki made the announcement on Tuesday during plenary. Senators Suleiman Hunkuyi, who was suspended by the Kaduna APC, Abdulazeez Nyako (Adamawa). Barnabas Gemade (Benue), and Ibrahim Dambaba were among those who defected. Others are Senators Shaaba Lafiaji (Kwara), Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara), Monsurat Sunmonu (Oyo) and Usman Nafada (Gombe) Ubale Shittu, Isah Misau, Suleiman Nazif, and Soji Akanbi.
Senators jubilating after the announcement.
 After the announcement by the Senate President, some Senators started chanting “PDP”, in the chamber. The Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan, appealed to the defecting Senators not to defect. He noted that the ruling party APC has its own internal disagreement but “this does not translate to factionalization, therefore, they (Senators) have no reason to defect”. The defecting Senators, however, ignored his appeal.