The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered another major blow in the Senate on Tuesday as Ipalibo Banigo of Rivers West officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), reducing the party’s numbers in the upper chamber from 18 to 17, a sharp decline from the 36 senators PDP held at the start of the 10th Senate in June 2023.
The defection was announced during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Before reading Banigo’s letter, Akpabio indicated that other senators are also contemplating defection, revealing that multiple letters had been submitted but were held back in respect for the late Senator Barinada Mpigi of Rivers South-East.
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In her letter, Banigo cited the need for a stable and progressive platform to advance the legislative and developmental agenda of her constituency and the nation, noting persistent internal divisions and leadership disputes within the PDP.
“I write to formally inform you and my distinguished colleagues of the Senate of my decision to defect from the PDP and subsequently join the APC.
“This decision follows extensive consultations with my constituents, political associates, and critical stakeholders across my Senatorial District.
“Given the prevailing internal divisions, protracted leadership disputes, and ongoing litigations within the PDP which have adversely affected cohesion.
“I am convinced that the APC offers a more stable and progressive platform to advance the legislative and developmental agenda of my constituency and the nation at large”.
While briefing journalists, Banigo said, “President Bola Tinubu deserves all our support and also to ensure that he has the opportunity to carry on and to complete some of these reforms and to take them forward”.
She added, “I want to work to support the First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, because I’ve seen the support she has given to the President over the years, over his political journey.
“And her impact and work with women and youth all across the country. She moves up all over this nation, emboldening the women, encouraging the youth, and supporting those things that impact positively on the lives of our communities.
“So this, when I looked at all these things and thought through them, I was convinced that I’m making the right decision”.
The senator further said about the President, “Well, the point is that you’re looking at what is happening within the country in terms of governance.
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“We have had a lot of infrastructural projects completed. For instance, in my state there was one major legacy project that had been in pipeline for decades, I’ll put it, and it never seemed to have been completed.
“But in his tenure now, he has taken the bull by the horn and we have now got the Bonny Road which was open since Christmas time.
“And I can tell you I drove down that road when I went to flag off the Bonny road on Dec. 20 and it’s just wonderful and the Bonny people are so happy about it.
“It has made trade much easier. It has made transportation much simpler. The fear of sea pirates is no longer there and it has made communication a lot better. So this is just one of many other projects”.
“I am convinced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) offers a more stable and progressive platform to advance the legislative and developmental agenda of my constituency and the nation at large,” Banigo said.
She also highlighted her decision to align politically with her mentor, Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, in supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and economic reforms.
“This decision is also predicated on my resolve to enable the President to continue his evident economic reforms, which have significantly improved the economic situation, enhanced currency stability, and driven numerous infrastructural developments across the country,” she added.
Speaking to journalists after plenary, Banigo pointed to Tinubu’s development projects in Rivers State as a factor in her move.
“We have seen major infrastructural projects completed, such as the Bonny Road, a long-standing legacy project that was finally opened this Christmas. It has improved trade, transportation, and safety for residents,” she said.
The defection underscores the shifting balance of power in the Senate.
Current party representation in the Senate now stands at the All Progressives Congress with eighty-one senators, up from fifty-nine; the Peoples Democratic Party with seventeen senators, down from thirty-six; the African Democratic Congress with five senators, up from zero; the Labour Party with zero senators, down from eight; the New Nigeria Peoples Party with one senator, down from two; the Social Democratic Party with zero senators, down from two; the All Progressives Grand Alliance with one senator; and the Nigeria Democratic Congress with one senator, held by Senator Seriake Dickson representing Bayelsa West.
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The total number of serving senators is 106, down from the constitutional 109, with vacancies in Nasarawa North, Enugu North, and Rivers South-East following the deaths of Senators Godiya Akwashiki, Okechukwu Ezea, and Barinada Mpigi, respectively.
