No fewer than nine senators on Thursday announced their defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during plenary at the Senate.
Among the lawmakers who dumped their former parties are Enyinnaya Abaribe, Victor Umeh and Ireti Kingibe.
Others are Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, Binos Dauda Yaroe, Tony Nwoye, Lawal Adamu Usman, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo and Austin Akobundu.
The letters conveying their decisions were read on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, during Thursday’s plenary.
In their separate letters, the lawmakers cited internal crises and divisions within their former political parties as reasons for their decision to join the ADC.
One of the senators, Nwoye, said persistent leadership disputes and litigations within his former party influenced his decision to leave.
Following the announcement, Akpabio noted that the defecting lawmakers came from different opposition parties, adding that their decisions were based on developments within their respective parties.
The defections are expected to alter the numerical strength of parties in the Senate as the ADC gains increased representation in the red chamber.
