Two Rivers PDP senators defect to APC

Two Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators confirmed their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.

They were Senator Mpigi Barinada (Rivers South-East) and Senator Onyesoh Allwell (Rivers-East).

Their defection letters were read to senators on the floor in Abuja by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

ALSO READ: Niger govt moves to restore order in new market

The two cited divisions and “unresolved” issues in the PDP from ward, local government, state and national levels as reasons for the defection.

The defection again raised the numerical strength of the APC to 78, while the PDP dropped to 23.

APC senators jubilated over the defection as they welcomed the new members.

Reacting to the development, the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, commended the decision of the defectors, describing it as “democracy in action.”

He said, “The ruling party that produced us is registered according to the 1999 Constitution and it opens its doors to any person who wishes to join us.

“Also, if stakeholders in their estimation feel that a government is doing well, and they want to join us, in a constitutional democracy, it is allowed”, he added.

Akpabio on his part, showered praises on the latest additions to the APC caucus.

A delegation of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the APC led by the National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, was at the Senate to witness the defection.