AKPABIO, MINORITY LEADER CLASH AS TWO TARABA SENATORS DEFECT FROM PDP TO APC

AKPABIO, MINORITY LEADER CLASH AS TWO TARABA SENATORS DEFECT FROM PDP TO APC

The Senate on Wednesday witnessed a tense but measured exchange between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro following the defection of two senators from Taraba State to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defecting lawmakers are Senator Shuaibu Lau, representing Taraba North, and Senator Haruna Manu, who represents Taraba Central. Both senators formally announced their resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during plenary, further strengthening the numerical advantage of the APC in the 10th Senate.

Their decisions were communicated through separate letters addressed to the Senate President and read aloud by Akpabio on the floor of the chamber.

While reading Senator Manu’s letter titled “Notification of Resignation,” Akpabio disclosed that the lawmaker based his decision on extensive consultations and a reassessment of Nigeria’s current political landscape.

In the letter, Manu stated that his defection followed consultations with his constituents, political associates, and key stakeholders, adding that he believed his legislative and developmental contributions would be better pursued on the platform of the APC.

Similarly, Senator Lau, in his own letter, cited concerns over the internal direction and unresolved issues within the PDP as reasons for his decision to leave the party. He noted that the APC aligns more closely with his political values and long-term vision.

Following the reading of the letters, members of the APC caucus welcomed the two senators, drawing applause from the majority benches.

Reacting to the development, Akpabio invited the Minority Leader to comment on the defections. In his response, Senator Moro downplayed the political significance of the move, describing it as a recurring post-election occurrence in Nigeria’s political system.

He expressed disappointment over the defections, arguing that the reasons given by the senators—particularly claims of wide consultations—were questionable, noting that the minority caucus leadership was not informed prior to the decision.

Moro maintained that the minority caucus remains relevant regardless of its size and pledged to continue leading it until the end of the 10th Senate, stating that he would not betray the mandate freely given to him by his colleagues.

The exchange between the Senate leadership drew attention from lawmakers across party lines, though proceedings later returned to normal legislative business.

The latest defections highlight an ongoing trend in the 10th Senate, where opposition lawmakers have continued to move to the ruling party, often citing internal party disputes or the need to align with the federal government’s agenda.

With the development, the current composition of the Senate stands at: APC – 80 seats; PDP – 21 seats; Labour Party – 2 seats; All Progressives Grand Alliance – 1 seat; New Nigeria Peoples Party – 1 seat; and African Democratic Congress – 1 seat.