The Senator representing Bauchi North, Samaila Dahuwa Kaila, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), thus further reducing the number of the leading opposition party from 28 to 27 in the Red Chamber.
Consequently, the configuration of the 109 senators in the Senate across political parties has changed, with APC 74, PDP 27, Labour Party 4, All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA 2; New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP 1 and Social Democratic Party, SDP, 1.
Senator Kaila, in a letter written to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and read in plenary on Tuesday, cited unending crisis within the PDP as the major reason for his defection.
He stated that the challenges had ‘gravely constrained’ his ability to serve his constituents effectively.
‘The Peoples Democratic Party have gravely constrained my ability to discharge my constitutional responsibilities effectively and in good conscience.
‘As one deeply committed to the service of our nation and the welfare of my people, I have found it necessary to realign my political engagements with a more progressive platform that embodies good governance, unity, progress, growth, and discipline in the governance of our country’, the letter read.
The lawmaker further explained that his decision to move to the ruling APC was motivated by President Bola Tinubu’s reforms, which he described as “bold and transformative’.
He said: ‘Consequently, I have chosen to join the All Progressives Congress, APC, and to lend my full commitment to the reforms of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu.
‘I hold in high regard the bold and transformative reforms initiated by the President, aimed at restoring economic stability, strengthening governance, and repositioning our nation for sustainable growth’.
According to him, Tinubu’s leadership represents the kind of ‘decisive’ direction Nigeria needs to move forward.
‘These efforts reflect the decisive leadership of our country, and that’s what Nigeria needs.
‘I am confident that these reform efforts align with my decisive ideals and my enduring conviction to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s development and democratic advancement’, Senator Kaila stressed.
