“We tried to stop defections at N’Assembly” – says Buhari as 52 lawmakers leave the ruling party

President Muhammadu Buhari says the leadership of the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC) did its best to avoid the mass defection at the national assembly yesterday where a total of 52 lawmakers; 14 Senators and 37 House of Representatives members left the ruling party. Buhari wished those who defected the very best in their future undertakings. He said such is expected on the eve of elections, adding that it poses no threat to the party and its aspirations.
“I am using this opportunity to restate my total commitment to the values of democracy, as well as my total willingness to work with all members of the national assembly, irrespective of their political party, for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians,” he said.

Yesterday, Senators Rabiu Kwankwaso and Dino Melaye lead the defection of senators to PDP. The notice of defection was contained in a letter read by Senate President Bukola Saraki on the floor of the upper legislative chamber. The senators said they took their decision after “due consultation”.

The senators who defected to PDP are:

• Dino Melaye
• Barnabas Gemade
• Ibrahim Danbaba
• Shaaba Lafiaji
• Mohammed Shittu
• Rafiu Ibrahim
• Suleiman Hunkuyi
• Isa Misau
• Monsurat Sunmonu
• Soji Akanbi
• Usman Nafada
• Musa Kwankwaso
• Suleiman Nazif
• Lanre Tejuosho

Similarly, a total of 37 members of the House of Representatives dumped the ruling party

The cross-carpeting of the lawmakers comes in the wake of the police siege on the residences of the Senate president, Bukola Saraki and Ike Ekweremadu, the deputy senate president. Saraki has been summoned by the police over the robbery incident which led to the loss of 20 lives in Offa, Kwara state, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited Ekweremadu over a money laundering case.