Benson Agadaga, Senator representing Bayelsa East, on Wednesday, announced his resignation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), blaming internal wrangling and what he described as the collapse of discipline and unity within the party for his decision to leave.
In a letter by Godswill Akpabio, read during Wednesday’s plenary, the senator said his defection marked “a time for change” in his political journey, describing the PDP as a party that had lost its cohesion and purpose.
“This is a notice of my defection from the PDP to the All Progressive Congress,” he said.
“The Bible says that there is a time for everything.”
He recalled his long service to Bayelsa State under several administrations, including his roles as Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism; Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board; Special Adviser on Establishment Affairs; and Chief of Staff to the State Government.
“I voluntarily retired from the public service in 2003 to serve as Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism under the administration of His Excellency, Governor D.F.R. Gabbani Siad,” he said.
“I also had the privilege of serving as Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board during the tenure of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Governor of Bayelsa State.”
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The senator expressed gratitude to the PDP for the opportunities it provided him to serve, acknowledging that his rise to the Senate was made possible by the party and its former leadership.
“The fact that I stand today as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is due to the benevolence of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) when it was intact and the goodwill of numerous well-wishers,” he stated.
However, he lamented that the party had degenerated into chaos.
“It is most astonishing and deeply disheartening to observe that the world’s proud and largest political party in Africa has been torn into shreds due to internal wrangling,” he said.
“The centre can no longer hold. The umbrella has been bastardised, and the umbrella is leaking profusely.”
He further criticised what he called “the incongruousness of the opposition in political diplomacy” within the PDP, noting that consultations across political divides led him to his decision.
“I have finally arrived at the inevitable conclusion that addressing progressivism, thinking progressively, and acting progressively is the only way to renew hope for all united Nigerians,” he declared.
“I am therefore constrained to formally declare my resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party.”
He announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), saying, “I declare my resignation to the All Progressives Congress from today, the 29th of October, 2025.”
