The number of senators elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Senate has reduced from 49 in June 2015 to 42.
This followed the defection of the chairman, Senate Committee on Public Accounts Andy Uba (Anambra South) from the main opposition PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Uba is expected to forfeit his seat, as the position is customarily reserved for opposition legislators.
He cited the leadership crisis at the party at the national level as reason for his defection.
The announcement of his defection on the floor of the Senate, which was read by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, elicited mixed reactions from lawmakers. While APC lawmakers jubilated and hurriedly ushered him into their fold, PDP lawmakers, on the other hand, protested the move.
With this development, APC now has 65 senators, as against PDP’s 42 and Labour Party’s one. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to conduct by-election into the remaining seat in Anambra Central senatorial district.
Prior to the inauguration of the 8th Senate on June 9, 2015, the APC had a total of 60 senators, as against PDP’s 49.
Uba is the fourth PDP lawmaker to defect to APC since the 8th Senate was inaugurated in 2015.
Others include former Governor of Plateau State, Joshua Dariye, Yele Omogunwa and Nelson Effiong.
