Exodus begins as Dino Melaye ‘defects’ to PDP

The much feared exodus of members of the APC to other political parties seems to have kicked off, as embattled Senator Dino Melaye on Wednesday dramatically served notice of his future intentions by switching sitting position from the ruling party side of the floor to the opposition wing, where members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) sit.

This move by a parliamentarian signifies a change of political party, and it only remains for Melaye to submit a letter to that effect to make it formal, except he changes his mind

The APC has lately been plagued by crisis, coupled with agitations by nPDP members within the party, sparking predictions that they may leave the ruling party.

The embattled senator announced his move as soon as lawmakers resumed for the day’s legislative business.

Melaye told his colleagues that henceforth, he will no longer sit among APC members. Instead, he said he will sit beside the former President of the Senate, David Mark, until a seat is allotted to him by the Senate President Bukola Saraki.

He announced that going forward, he will be sitting on the other side of the aisle, where PDP members have been designated to sit.

“Mr President, I want to seek your indulgence. You will have to call in the Sergeant-at-Arm to look for a comfortable sit for me on this side of the divide (PDP’s section).

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“I am no longer comfortable sitting here (area earmarked for APC members). I want to ask that you mandate the Sergeant-at-Arm to look for a sit for me. I will take a sit close to David Mark, pending when you get a sit,” Melaye announced.

As soon as he made the announcement, PDP senators moved to usher him to their side. Minority Leader of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, led other members to welcome him.

His announcement didn’t come without protests from APC senators. PDP senators kicked.

As expected, Senate Majority Leader, Ahmad Lawan, said he was unaware of Melaye’s movement. He said his seat was still available and that he was free to return anytime.

His position was supported by Senators Olusola Adeyeye, Jibrin Barau, Kabiru Marafa and others who were not recognised to speak by Saraki.

On the other side, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu and Akpabio, spoke in defence of Melaye’s movement to their side of the chamber.

After a 25-minute drama, Saraki stepped in. He overruled senators who argued that Melaye should relocate to his seat. He, however, said that Melaye’s seat was still available.

He said: “Senator Dino Melaye, you made a request which I can’t see the reasons why you now want to sit elsewhere. Is it due to your injury or what? As far as I am concerned, Senator Melaye, I still know you with that seat. I take note of your request and I take note of your comments.”

In the meantime, Melaye has alleged that the Police made two attempts to assassinate him. Melaye who came to the chamber for the first time since his running battles with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), was supported by his aides when he walked in at about 11.13am.

Raising a point of order, he said: “Mr President, I want to say that the Nigerian police attempted to kill me twice. One, through the application of a chemical substance and the second time through injection. They actually came with an injection, but God intervened.

“Having appreciated God for His love and kindness and protection upon my soul, I want to specially acknowledge the Nigerian Senate. I want to thank you for your love, for your concern, for speaking for me and the course of democracy.”

By Ehisuan Odia…

 

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