Despite Police/DSS effort 15 Senators dump APC enmass (Updated)

Fifteen senators on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday dumped the ruling party for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Senate President Bukola Saraki, who men of Department of State Security (DSS) and Nigerian Police, had earlier laid siege on his home and convoy presided over the plenary.

He announced the defection of the APC members during the Senate plenary.

Saraki, despite the siege, had found his way to the National Assembly Complex premises long before the plenary began.

Among the senators who dumped the APC were Dino Melaye, Kogi; Rafiu Ibrahim, Kwara; Shaaba Lafiagi, Kwara; Barnabas Gemade, Benue; Suleiman Hunkuyi, Kaduna; Rabiu Kwankwaso, Kano; and Abdulaziz Nyako, Adamawa.

Others are Abdullahi Danbaba, Sokoto; Isa Misau, Bauchi; Suleiman Nazif; Baki Shittu, Jigawa; Monsurat Sunmmonu, Oyo; Bayero Nafada, Gombe; and Olanrewaju Tejuoso, Ogun.

Read also: Saraki, Ekweremadu’s homes under Police, DSS siege

With the new development, the opposition PDP now has majority members in the upper legislative chamber, with APC now the minority party.

Analysts are of the view that the happenings and intrigues will still play further, as the latest development is sure to affect the positions of the principal officers of the House.

Saraki especially may have to relinquish the Senate or join the PDP if the new majority party insists, as they may not be comfortable being the majority party while the Senate presidency is occupied by a member of the opposition minority party.

Reports also indicate that more senators may soon be joining the bandwagon, including Saraki who hinted during the plenary on Tuesday that he may soon be joining Melaye and others.

Saraki was expected to be at the police headquarters in Abuja to honour an invitation by the force, who on Thursday asked him to come on Tuesday over the Offa bank robbery allegation leveled against him.

Meanwhile, Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who was expected to preside over the plenary of the Senate, has lamented the siege on his home by men of the Nigeria Police and operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Uche Anichukwu, he said that neither the police nor DSS invited the lawmaker, noting that he was expected to preside over Senate’s plenary today in the absence of President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki.

“The Apo Legislative Quarters residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is currently under the siege of men of the Nigeria Police Force and the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“With the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, expected to report to the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force in Guzappe, Abuja, this Tuesday morning, Senator Ekweremadu is expected to preside over plenary,” he said.

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