Senator Elisha Ishaku Abbo representing Adamawa North has dumped Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Senator Abbo’s defection letter was addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan.
Lawan who read the letter at plenary session Wednesday said Senator Abbo cross-carpeted because of what he described as the unprecedented achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari who has paid attention to the welfare of Nigeria citizens more than any other President, Nigeria as a country has ever produced.
According to Abbo, he is dumping the PDP with his constituents because of what he termed, mismanagement of PDP in Adamawa state by the Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri that has led to factions within the party in the state as well as polarisation of the party and interests.
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, who welcomed the Senator to APC, said his action was a show of patriotism, of purpose and unity for the development of the country.
He added that the APC was inviting more Senators to come to the APC to join hands with the party, with a view to building the country.
Senator Abbo’s letter titled, “Movement of God’s People from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)” read, “I write to formally inform you Sir, the Senate and indeed Nigerians of my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“This is as a result of the mismanagement of the PDP by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in Adamawa State which led to the crisis in the party that in turn led to the polarisation of the party in the state (PDP and rPDP).
“Today I join the APC and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhamadu Buhari to build the Nigeria of our dreams.
“The journey may be long, but we are on the right track as I strongly believe that by the end of the tenure of Mr. President, Nigeria will be a better place.
“My Senate President Sir, it is worthy of note that in the history of Nigeria’s Nascent democracy, specifically from 1999 till date, no President has paid attention to the welfare of Nigerian Citizens like President Muhamadu Buhari as it is evident in packages such as:i. Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT); ii. Homegrown School Feeding Program (HGFP); iii. Trader Money; iv. Market Money; v. Farmers’ Money; vi. nPower; vii. Special Public Works Programme, currently employing 1000 persons from each of the 774 local Government Areas; viii. National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA): Buhari Young Farmer’s Network; ix. Artisans and Transportation Grants; x. Guaranteed Off-take Scheme; xi. CAC Business Formalization Scheme; xii. Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Grants among others.
“Thus, in living up to the expectation of the good people of Adamawa North Senatorial District, I hereby defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with effect from today being Wednesday, the 25th day of November, 2020.
“Accept Distinguished SP Sir, the assurances of my highest regards.”
Meanwhile, Lawan has announced that the APC Senate caucus will meet on Thursday to deliberate on some issues.
With the defection of Senator Abbo from PDP to APC, the number of PDP senators in the Senate has plummeted from 43 to 42, while that of APC rose to 60.
While one out of the remaining seven seats is occupied by Senator Ifeanyi Uba of YPP representing Anambra South, the remaining six seats are vacant due to death of four Senators i.e, Benjamin Nwajumogu ( Imo North ), Ignatius Longjan (Plateau South), Rose Oko (Cross River North) and Bayo Osinnowo (Lagos East).
The remaining two vacant seats were earlier occupied by the governor and deputy governor of Bayelsa state .
Meanwhile, INEC has fixed December 5 as date for rerun elections into the six vacant seats in the Senate.
