PDP Woes Worsen as Senator, Three House of Reps Members Dump Party for APC

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has suffered another blow in the National Assembly as Senator Kaila Dahuwa Samaila, representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senator Samaila’s defection was formally announced during Tuesday’s plenary session after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read his letter of resignation from the PDP on the floor of the Senate.

In his letter, Samaila cited prolonged internal crises and unresolved leadership tussles within the PDP as the main reasons for his departure, noting that the divisions have weakened the party’s structure both in Bauchi State and across the country.

With his exit, the PDP’s representation in the 10th Senate has dropped from 28 to 27, while the APC now commands a stronger majority with 74 seats. The Labour Party retains four senators, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has two, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have one senator each.

Senator Samaila, a first-term lawmaker elected in 2023, said his decision was motivated by the need to align with a party capable of delivering on governance and ensuring political stability.

In a related development, three members of the House of Representatives from Kaduna State have also dumped the PDP for the APC. The defectors are Aliyu Abdullahi (Ikara/Kubau Federal Constituency), Abdulkareem Ahmed (Kaduna South Federal Constituency), and Sadiq Abdullahi (Sabon Gari Federal Constituency).

Their defection letters were read by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu during Tuesday’s plenary.