The senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Kwara State governor, Mr. Abdulfattah Ahmed have formally announced their exit from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saraki who made his announcement on his twitter handle on Tuesday said: “I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
His defection had been largely expected from Nigerians especially after all the federal lawmakers from his Kwara State left the APC last week.
The senate president is expected to join the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ahmed, who is Saraki’s political ally, also announced his defection through his media aide, Muyideen Akorede, saying his decision also followed consultations with people in the state.
“Following due consultations with the people and in response to calls by major stakeholder groups in the state, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed today defected to the People’s Democratic Party(PDP), having realized that the All Progressive Congress (APC) can longer serve as a platform for achieving the aspirations and expectations of his people,” he said.
Saraki joined the APC on January 29, 2014 after falling out with the then PDP government led by President Goodluck Jonathan. He was among 11 PDP senators of the period who left the PDP on that date.
Two months before then – November 2013 – Ahmed, alongside four other then PDP governors defected to the APC.
They were Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and Rabi’u Kwankwaso (Kano). Mr. Kwankwaso, now a senator, has also since returned to the PDP.
With Premium Times reports
