Senator Samaila Dahuwa, representing Bauchi North Senatorial District, has formally defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection, which took place on October 11, 2025, was announced on the floor of the Senate yesterday during plenary.
In a related development, three members of the PDP in the House of Representatives from Kaduna State have defected to the ruling APC.
They are Hon. Abdulkarim Ahmed, representing Kaduna South constituency; Aliyu Abdullahi, representing Ikara/Kubau constituency and Sadiq Abdullahi, representing Sabon Gari federal constituency.
In a letter read by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Senator Dahuwa cited prolonged internal divisions, recurring factionalism and a loss of strategic direction within the PDP as the reasons for his exit from the party.
“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—one that embodies good governance, unity, growth, and discipline,” Senator Dahuwa stated.
He declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, commending the administration’s “bold and transformative reforms” aimed at restoring economic stability, strengthening governance, and repositioning Nigeria for sustainable growth.
“These efforts reflect the decisive leadership our country needs,” he added, noting that the president’s policies align with his legislative ideals and personal convictions about Nigeria’s development and democratic progress.
Dahuwa also extended his appreciation to the Senate President for what he described as “exemplary leadership” of the 10th Senate, which he credited with fostering unity and attracting lawmakers from across party lines into the APC.
The announcement was met with mixed reactions on the Senate floor. While several lawmakers welcomed Senator Dahuwa to the ruling party, others from the opposition remained silent on the broader implications for the PDP’s strength in the upper chamber.
In his remarks, Akpabio congratulated Dahuwa and called on APC members to receive him warmly into the party’s fold.
“On behalf of the APC family in the Senate, we welcome you, Senator Dahuwa. Your decision is a testament to the leadership and vision of our great party under President Bola Tinubu,” Akpabio said.
In the House of Representatives, three members from Kaduna State formally joined the ruling APC.
They are Hons Abdulkarim Ahmed, representing Kaduna South constituency; Aliyu Abdullahi, representing Ikara/Kubau constituency and Sadiq Abdullahi, representing Sabon Gari federal constituency.
Their defections were announced in separate letters read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen at resumed plenary on Tuesday.
The former PDP lawmakers all cited lingering party crisis in their party and constituents’ interest as reasons for their defection.
Governor Ubani Sani of Kaduna state, a former lawmaker stormed the Green Chamber to witness the defection of the lawmakers into his party.
