Barely 48 hours after Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Pam Mwadkon Dachungyang (Plateau North) has also defected to the ruling party.
Dachungyang, who was elected into the Senate in February 2024 through a by-election, announced his defection during plenary on Thursday via a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read to lawmakers.
In the letter, the senator said his decision followed extensive consultations with his constituents, political associates and key stakeholders.
He said, “My defection from the Action Democratic Party (ADP) to the All Progressives Congress is informed by the need to align with a political platform that best reflects my commitment to good governance and inclusive development in the best interest of the good people of my senatorial district.
He added that the move was also necessitated by “irreconcilable differences and persistent internal crises” within the ADP, which he said had hindered his ability to effectively contribute to the party’s ideals and deliver quality representation.
According to him, the APC offers a more stable and progressive platform through which he can better serve his constituents and the nation with renewed focus and dedication.
After the letter was read, Akpabio took a swipe at opposition parties, saying many of their remaining members were already eyeing the APC and only waiting for the right moment to join the ruling party.
With the latest defection, the composition of the Senate now stands at 78 APC senators, 23 PDP, three Labour Party, two All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and one New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), making a total of 107 serving senators out of 109 seats.
The Enugu North and Nasarawa North senatorial seats remain vacant following the deaths of Senators Okechukwu Ezea and Godiya Akwashiki.
