The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, justified the defection of all federal lawmakers from Kebbi State to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating that the ruling party is now building a national unity government.
Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not coerce any opposition lawmakers to defect to the APC, contrary to public criticism.
He clarified Abuja during the formal announcement of the defections by all federal lawmakers from Kebbi State to the APC.
The event was witnessed by the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje; the Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Nasir Idris; and the APC National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Argungu.
Senators Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, Garba Maidoki, and all members of the House of Representatives from Kebbi State had earlier informed President Tinubu of their decision to join the ruling party during a meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, over the weekend.
They formally announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on Tuesday at the Senate chamber in the presence of the party’s national leaders.
Defending their decision, Bamidele said the defections were made in the public interest and not aimed at creating a one-party state.
“The APC will not close its doors to anyone intending to join the party. In the same way, we will not discriminate against anyone based on religion, tribe, or any other factor. Our doors remain open for more people to join at all levels,” Bamidele said.
“In the meantime, we will continue to work with members of minority political parties. It is not a coincidence that virtually all political parties—from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the Peoples Democratic Party—have members joining the ruling APC.
“Even APGA, which has not formally joined the APC, has graciously nominated and donated a minister of state to the federal government. That is to say, we are now running a government of national unity.”
Bamidele praised the defectors for joining the APC, recalling how the PDP coerced opposition members to defect during its time in power.
“We were all in this country when the PDP was the ruling party. We saw all that happened in its attempts to control more states, more Senate seats, and more seats in the House of Representatives. We are not at the polls now. No one is being coerced.
“If anyone was coerced, certainly not Senator Adamu Aliero. We all know Senator Yahaya Abdullahi cannot be pressured, and Senator Garba Maidoki, with his private sector background, wouldn’t defect without conviction. These are not men who joined politics to survive.”
He continued: “Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, as I know him, would rather remain in the opposition and be vocal. But they all recognise that this is not the time for grandstanding. It is time for all of us to work together to take Nigeria to the next level.
“One of the defectors served as Governor of Kebbi State from 1999 to 2007 and as a minister of the Federal Republic. Today, he is the most senior-ranking member of the Senate.
“Another served as the Senate Leader in the 9th National Assembly. These are individuals who know what they are doing. They cannot mislead the people of Kebbi State or Nigeria.”
Bamidele described the development as a positive sign for Nigerian democracy and urged minority party lawmakers to join in advancing national progress.
“For those closely following political developments, rest assured this can only serve the good and greatness of Nigeria,” he said.
“To our colleagues on the minority side, we will continue working together for the country’s progress.
“I repeat it—for the umpteenth time—those who refer to this parliament as a rubber-stamp parliament should understand we are at a critical stage of our national life where all hands must be on deck.
“Today, it’s not about political party affiliation. Once you’re in this hallowed chamber, what matters is the overriding public interest. In line with that, three of our colleagues have crossed over to the ruling APC.”
