Two serving Senators from Akwa Ibom State, Senator Aniekan Bassey, Akwa Ibom North East and Senator Ekong Sampson, Akwa Ibom South have formally resigned their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The lawmaksrs cited unresolved internal crises for their decision and a need for better alignment with their constituents and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Their separate resignation letters were read on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, during plenary.
The defections are seen as a significant blow to the PDP, particularly in Akwa Ibom, a state long regarded as a stronghold of the party.
This poses a major boost to the APC’s growing influence in the region.
In his resignation letter, Senator Aniekan Bassey cited Sections 40 and 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, stating that the decision was “deeply considered” but “imperative” in light of prevailing political realities.
“This decision has become imperative in view of the prevailing political developments both in my constituency and within the party structure, which has been fractured beyond redemption,” Bassey wrote.
He expressed appreciation to the PDP for the platform it had provided over the years but emphasised that his defection was in the “overall interest” of his constituents in the Akwa Ibom North East Senatorial District.
The Senate President, himself a former governor of the state and a key APC figure, acknowledged the letter with a hint of theatrics, stating: “Senator Aneka Abbasi has now joined the APC. I welcome him with open arms. She has depleted the rank and file of the left-hand side to populate the right-hand side.”
Similarly, Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South, also declared his exit from the PDP, describing the move as part of a larger political shift in the state.
“Politics is a game of interest, and if I may add, circumstances,” he said in his defection letter. “In Akwa Ibom State, the Earth has moved with the convergence of principal political players on the APC platform. My people have high hopes for commensurate reward systems from the APC power matrix.”
He cited the defection of the state Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to the APC and the growing alignment of political stakeholders in the state with the ruling party as key reasons behind his decision.
Welcoming the new members, the Senate Leader, on behalf of the APC caucus, stated: “I sincerely welcome our colleagues to the All Progressives Congress. This cannot be the end, more are coming.”
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