APC loses three senators to opposition, Aduda replaces Abarib
With losses and disappointments at primaries changing the political landscape, the majority position of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is weekly being threatened. The party on Tuesday lost three senators to opposition political parties
Those who defected are: Senators Ahmad Babba Kaita (Katsina North), Lawal Yahaya Gumau (Bauchi South), and Francis Alimikhena (Edo North).
The defections, coming shortly after that of the Senate Majority, Yahaya Abdullahi from Kebbi North District, bring the number of APC Senators to 67 from 70.
But the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also lost one of its bright lights and Senate Minority Leader, Eyinnaya Abaribe, to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) weeks ago. He has since won APGA’s ticket to contest against his State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, for the Abia South Senatorial District seat he currently occupies.
Abaribe’s position as Minority Leader was Tuesday taken over by Philip Aduda, who represents the FCT, Abuja on the platform of the PDP.
Kaita and Alimikhena defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Gumau, moved to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The notice of their resignation from their parties and defection was contained in three separate letters read during plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday.
Babba Kaita’s letter reads, “As Senator representing Katsina North Senatorial District, I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and registration declaration for the Peoples Democratic Party.
“My resignation from the APC was born out of the marginalisation of critical stakeholders by the State Government and Leadership of the Party in Katsina State, where small people like me do not have a chance.
“I have since been joyful and graciously accepted into the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party in Katsina State.”
Senator Alimikhena, said his decision to resign from the APC was as a result of “continuing and multifaceted crisis that has bedeviled the APC”, especially in his Senatorial District, “that has created parallel executives that has undermined internal discipline, cohesion and focus.”