PDP Senator jumps ship to APC, Akpabio fumes

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senator from Akwa Ibom State, Nelson Effiong, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmaker who represents Akwa Ibom South in the Senate, made the announcement on the floor on Thursday, citing an intractable crisis in the opposition PDP as reason that necessitated his defection to APC.

He said no politician worth his onions should remain in the PDP, adding that APC as a party has brought stability to Nigeria. He said APC has also restored peace to some troubled parts of the country.

Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate who stood in for Godswill Akpabio, frowned at the defection and warned the Senator of the consequences.

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Akpabio who walked into the chamber about five minutes after the defection, announced that the PDP in Akwa Ibom State will challenge the defection in court and reclaim the mandate.

He said as an individual, Senator Effiong has the right to jump ship, but not to the detriment of the party, whose platform he rode on to get to the Senate.

The PDP had in reaction to calls for Senate Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu to also defect to the SPC said there was no crisis in the ruling party to warrant any member decamping.

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