By Citizenship Newspaper
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has turned the Senate chamber into a celebration galore when four senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dumped their party and embraced the APC.
The four senators are Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East) and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central).
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio before reading the letters of the defectors asked that the rule of the Senate be suspended to admit “strangers” like the APC National Chairman, Ajibola Bashiru, some members of the House of Representatives from the APC to join them in the chamber.
According to him, “the National Secretary and some members of the House of Representatives who are interested in shaking hands and take picture with those who crossed to APC were welcome to the chamber.
“Today, I welcome Distinguished Senator Ajibola Bashiru, the National Secretary of the All Progressive Congress and our colleagues from the House of Representatives, including one of the youngest members of this House, Akala, leading his colleagues to join us. And of course, I’ve noticed the State Chairman of the APC from Osun State, out of excitement, decided to fly in just for this exercise. You are all welcome, and I recognize all of you”.
Senator Francis Fadahunsi, in his letter read by Akpabio expressed his keen interest in joining the APCs as a “passionate, ranking Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I firmly believe in the principles and values that the APC upholds, and I am eager to actively contribute to the betterment of our dear country and my constituents, and of course, the incoming victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, come 2027.
“For some time now, I have closely followed the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and I have been very impressed by the President’s commitment and dedication to the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The agenda emphasizes on inclusivity, environmental sustainability, education, and social welfare that plays a role deeply in the development of the All-Progressive Congress.”
Akpabio in summarizing the letter said the writer, who has actively participated in various community-driven initiatives, socio-political campaigns and public awareness events that align with the core values of the APC decided to join like-minded individuals and elected representatives to drive positive change at the local, state and national levels.
Fadahunsi promise to bring his wealth of experience to bear and ensure the victory of the APC “from top to bottom”.
Another letter of resignation from the People’s Democratic Party from Osun state was submitted by Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central).
He said his decision has not been taken lightly, but “I feel compelled to do so due to the unresolved internal crisis, various litigations, and cases, and lack of leadership the Peoples Democratic Party.
“These issues have led towidespread disaffection and mistrust among members making it very challenging for me and for all of us”, Fadeyi said.
Akpabio had earlier read the letters of Senators Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South) and Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East) who also blamed crisis and lack of leadership in PDP as their reasons for dumping the party.
Thereafter, Akpabio called on the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele to lead APC members and the “strangers” welcome the decampees. This turned the chamber into jubilation mood for APC.
With current decamping APC now has 70 members, PDP 28, LP 5, SDP 2 while APGA and NNPP have 1 member each.
