The senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Ipalibo Banigo, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio read Banigo’s letter announcing the defection during plenary on Tuesday.
In the letter, the Rivers lawmaker said her decision followed wide consultations with constituents, political associates, and other stakeholders across her senatorial district.
Banigo explained that the move was also influenced by internal divisions and leadership disputes within the PDP, which she said had weakened cohesion within the party.
“I write to formally inform you and my distinguished colleagues in the Senate of my decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party and subsequently join the All Progressives Congress,” the letter stated.
She added that the decision came after extensive consultations with constituents and political allies, noting that the ongoing leadership disputes and legal battles within the PDP had affected the party’s unity.
Following the defection, the number of senators on the platform of the APC in the upper chamber has risen to 80.
However, the customary ceremonial movement of a defecting senator from the minority wing to the majority wing of the chamber did not take place.
The ceremony was postponed as the Senate is currently observing a period of mourning after the death of Barinada Mpigi.