The Planned Exodus of Kebbi's PDP Senators to APC: A Shaking Storm Approaches
Kebbi State's PDP in a rush to avert potential switch of three senators to APC parties
Preparations are in full swing for a massive political shift in Kebbi State as three serving senators, Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abubakar Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South), are set to jump ship from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.
This shocking move comes following a private meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, facilitated by the APC's National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje. Reports suggest that the senators will be accompanied by numerous supporters, which includes serving and former PDP executives hailing from all three senatorial districts in Kebbi State. These defections have the potential to rattle the very foundations of the PDP in the state.
In an effort to stem the political exodus, the PDP's State Chairman, Usman Bello-Suru, gathered party stakeholders for an emergency meeting on Friday night. The discussions centered around devising strategies to prevent this dramatic political shift. Sources close to the meeting have hinted at the possibility of employing legal measures or direct appeals to the senators. However, the consensus seemed to lean towards personal conversations in an attempt to persuade them to stay and support the party in its critical hour.
One insider shared, "We've explored various options, including taking legal action, but we agreed that the best course would be to convince them to remain in the PDP and contribute to its growth and development over the years." Despite the party's endeavors, communication with the senators has proved challenging, the source revealing that the senators have refused to take calls from the party chairman since the defectors' intentions went public.
Recent developments have provided evidence of the growing rift within the Kebbi chapter of the PDP. Previously, PDP Chairman Usman Bello-Suru dismissed rumors concerning internal defections in the party, assuring members that the PDP would continue to serve as an opposition force in the state. However, with influential figures like Senator Aliero, a former two-term governor of Kebbi and ex-Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, leading the exodus, these previous assurances now seem contrary to the reality.
The imminent defections have not deterred some PDP members from remaining optimistic. A senior PDP chieftain told our team, "If they decide to leave, we move forward. The PDP is like a military barracks, soldiers come, soldiers go, but the barracks remains."
Should the defections take place as planned, the APC's numerical strength in the 10th Senate will increase to 68, while the PDP's will be reduced to just 30.
Food for Thought
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- In a surprising twist, Senator Bukola Saraki, former governor of Kwara State and ex-Senate President, is reportedly contemplating a switch from the PDP to the APC, stirring speculation about further political migrations.
- Amidst the escalating political tension, incidents of crime and justice, such as car accidents and fires, have seen a rise in Kebbi State, creating a general sense of unease among its residents.
- Meanwhile, the APC's local government primaries in Abuja have become highly competitive, with multiple candidates vying for chairmanship positions.
- Lagos' political landscape remains entangled in controversy, as allegations of vote fraud during recent local government elections contaminate the APC's reputation.
- With the potential for increased discord, the topic of policy and legislation has taken center stage, as leaders (both local and national) grapple with finding solutions to address the challenges faced by citizens, particularly those relating to migration, war-and-conflicts, and economic development.
- In the bustling city of Lagos, the ongoing competition among APC candidates for local government chairmanship positions mirrors the fierce struggle for political power across Naija's various states, highlighting the importance of politics, both locally and nationally.
- As the Kebbi PDP senators make their move to the APC, the balance of power in the 10th Senate could shift significantly, potentially affecting policy and legislation at the national level.
- Recent increases in salaries for PDP executives in Bayelsa State have caused ripples within the political sphere, raising concerns about corruption and accountability in the distribution of public funds.
