ABUJA – THERE was a heated debate among senators, yesterday, when the Chairman, Senate Committee on Reparation and Repatriation, Senator Ned Nwoko, Delta North, formally dumped his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
According to Nwoko’s defection letter, which was read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, he left the PDP because the party, which once stood as a formidable platform for democratic participation and national development, had been engulfed in persistent crises, ranging from internal divisions to a lack of clear leadership and direction.
Senator Nwoko in the letter, urged the Senate to as a matter of urgency, set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the crisis in the PDP and recommend a way forward to safeguard the nation’s democracy.
APC senators joined him in the call for an ad hoc Senate committee to look into the cause of the crisis in the PDP.
The letter is titled, “ Notice of Departure from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to the All-Progressives Congress, APC “
With Nwoko’s defection, the number of APC senators has increased to 64, and that of the PDP reduced to 33. Labour Party, LP, now has five senators; the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and Social Democratic Party, SDP, have two senators each; and the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has one.
The total number of Senators currently in the 10th Senate stands at 107 members.
Anambra South is yet to be filled after the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah as well as Edo Central after the
emergence of Senator Monday Okpebholo as governor of Edo State, following the September 21, 2024, election.
The letter
Nwoko’s letter read in part: “I write to formally inform you and my distinguished colleagues of my decision to resign my membership from the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, and consequently join the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“This decision was not made lightly, but rather after deep reflection and extensive consultations with my constituents, political associates, and stakeholders across Delta North senatorial district.
‘’The PDP, which once stood as a formidable platform for democratic participation and national development, has unfortunately been engulfed in persistent crises, ranging from internal divisions to a lack of clear leadership and direction. These unresolved conflicts have weakened its ability to function as an effective opposition, thereby threatening the very fabric of our democracy.
“Mr. President, democracy thrives on a strong and credible opposition that keeps the government in check, promotes accountability, and ensures that the voice of all Nigerians is heard. The continued deterioration of the PDP raises serious concerns about the future of our multi-party democracy.
‘’If urgent steps are not taken to address this national emergency, Nigeria risks sliding into a dangerous one-party system, which history has shown to be detrimental to governance and national stability.
“In view of this, I urge the Senate to take this matter seriously by setting up an ad hoc committee to investigate the crisis within the PDP and recommend a way forward to safeguard our democracy.’’
Moro kicks, says PDP not factionalised
Soon after reading the letter, the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, PDP, Benue, vehemently rejected the reasons raised by Nwoko for his defection, saying that the action was in total disregard for the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He raised a constitutional point of order to debunk the claim of Nwoko that PDP was factionalized. Citing Section 68 (g) of the 1999 constitution to fault Nwoko’s defection, Moro said that PDP is not factionalized which according to him made Nwoko’s defection unconstitutional.
He said: “PDP as a political party today is not factionalized as there is only one National Working Committee, NWC, and Board of Trustees, BOT, running the party.”
Barau, Bamidele counter
He was, however, countered by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, APC, Kano North, who pointedly told Abba Moro that every Nigerian knew that in PDP, there was a Barrister Nyesom Wike-led faction and Governor Bala Mohammed’s faction.
At this point, Akpabio asked Moro to name the authentically recognized national secretary of the PDP.
“This defection is an earthquake, one that will lead to many other PDP senators dumping the party. Little wonder that the defector and the new big fish in APC, Senator Nwoko, begged the Senate to set up an ad hoc committee to look into intractable crises bedevilling the party before collapsing completely.
“The request is good for the survival of democracy in the country but the Senate will not constitute the committee now,” Akpabio said.
Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central , also took up Abba Moro on his denial of factionalization in PDP, saying section 68 (g) of the 1999 Constitution he cited to fault Nwoko’s defection, actually constitutionalised the action, claiming there were apparent factions in the PDP at the national level.
