PDP’s sole Niger senator dumps party for APC

Peter Jiya, the lawmaker representing Niger South, on Tuesday announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), attributing his decision to worsening internal divisions within his former party.

The switch, seen as part of a broader pattern of political repositioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, was communicated in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and read on the Senate floor during plenary.

In the correspondence, Jiya, the only PDP senator from Niger state, confirmed that he formally withdrew his membership from the party with effect from March 10.

“I wish to notify you and the Senate that I have resigned my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party effective today,” the letter stated.

Providing justification for his exit, the senator cited persistent disputes within the party structure.

“This action is premised on quarrels and irreconcilable divisions within the party,” he said.

Jiya also declared his intention to continue his political journey under the APC, while expressing appreciation to the PDP for the platform it provided him.

“Also, kindly take further notice that effective today I have decided to join and be associated with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to continue my political career,” he wrote.

“Permit me, Mr President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, my profound gratitude to the PDP for availing me the opportunity to serve the nation and humanity. I am grateful and wish the party well in the future if it can resolve its challenges,” he added.

His defection highlights ongoing factional strains within the PDP, which have led to a string of notable departures in recent months, while simultaneously strengthening the APC’s numbers in the Senate.

The development comes less than 24 hours after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) formally acknowledged a faction of the PDP’s National Working Committee aligned with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

INEC’s recognition was reflected in an update to the party’s leadership structure on its official website, listing members of the national executive.

Among those acknowledged are Abdulrahman Mohammed as National Chairman and Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, alongside other key officials.

Both men emerged from the PDP National Convention held on Sunday night at the Velodrome of the National Stadium in Abuja, where members of the National Working Committee were returned by consensus following the dissolution of the party’s National Caretaker Committee.