By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

Amid Opposition turmoil, no fewer than nine senators from different political parties formally announced their defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday, further reshaping the political configuration of the Senate.

Those who declared for the party include the lawmaker representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal; his Abia South counterpart, Enyinnaya Abaribe; Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South); Victor Umeh (Anambra Central); Tony Nwoye (Anambra North); Lawal Usman (Kaduna Central); Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South); Austin Akobundu (Abia Central); and Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory).

Their letters of defection were read on the floor of the Senate during Thursday’s plenary by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

In his letter, Nwoye attributed his decision to internal crises within the Labour Party.

“I wish to tender my resignation amid the ongoing multiple litigations within the Labour Party, which have significantly affected the cohesion and stability of the party.

“Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem and regards,” Nwoye’s defection read.

Reacting after reading the letters, Akpabio welcomed the lawmakers to their new political platform but dismissed suggestions that the ruling All Progressives Congress was responsible for the wave of defections.

He said, “Deputy Senate President and Leader of the Senate, I hope you noticed that I have read (defections) from three different political parties now. So, you cannot accuse the ruling party of tampering with its leadership. Here, we have APGA, Labour, SDP, and all of them.

“So, all of them have a problem. They’ve not been able to put their parties together. So, the APC cannot be blamed for this.

“They are all out to ensure that we have what you call a minority status in this chamber, and I am very proud of them.”

The latest defections further underscore the continuing political realignments in the 10th Senate, where lawmakers have repeatedly switched party allegiances amid internal disputes within several opposition parties.

As of Thursday, the APC retains a dominant majority with 87 senators, while the Peoples Democratic Party has dwindled to seven members.

The ADC, boosted by the latest defections, now has seven senators in the chamber.

Other minority parties include the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), each of which has one senator, bringing the total membership of the Senate to 106.

The Labour Party and Social Democratic Party currently have no representation in the upper chamber following the latest defections.

Director of Research of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, has warned that mega bucks and brute force will determine the eventual winner of next year’s presidential election.

Speaking against the backdrop of concerns regarding the intense competition and the significant influence of financial resources in the upcoming electoral cycle, Dr Fapohunda speculated that what the 31 All Progressives Congress (APC), Governors need to do is to dedicate their four-month Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations to ‘buy’ the election.

He said given the spiralling hunger in the land, all the ruling Party will need to do is give each voter N20,000 and N50,000 instead of the usual N5,000, for them to vote and guarantee winning the election at all costs.

According to him: “We now have 31 Governors who are in one basket; all they need to do is to devote the four-month FAAC allocation to buy whatever is ready to be bought. You can’t beat that. Any money that comes, even if it’s from the devil, people will take it.

“If you vote, don’t collect N5,000, collect N20,000, N50,000; that’s what is going to happen. So, whosoever has might, will win.

“Election is war, everything is fair when you are fighting a war. If APC has the tools to defeat ADC and PDP, they are in a war front. It’s a war, in a do-or-die situation, who wants to die?

“APC wants to live and others must die. Until we change the rules and bring the temperature down to a civilised society, everything is fair.”

Also commenting on Afenifere’s position about restructuring, Fapohunda said the organisation has submitted a demand for restructuring and creation of western Nigeria to the National Assembly, insisting that contrary to insinuations in some circles, restructuring is not a recipe for anarchy.

Dr Fapohunda, who explained that restructuring will be voluntary to all entities, with a referendum prepared by the association to make it open and fair to all, said: “Restructuring is not a recipe for anarchy. In Yoruba land, we have six states, but it might be eight; we are looking at Kogi and Kwara States because they are Yoruba people too. It’s going to be voluntary; it won’t be by force.”

Citing an example with the Yoruba nation, the Afenifere Research Director said: “In Yoruba land, we have 26 entities, Ijebu is Ijebu, Osogbo is Osogbo, Oyo is Oyo, Ibadan is Ibadan, among others”, adding that: “They have different dialects but they are Yoruba people and they are free to be on their own.”

The Oba of Benin, Omo N’Oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Ewuare II, has commended Gov. Monday Okpebholo’s achievements, particularly on road projects in Edo.

Oba spoke on Wednesday, when the Commissioner for Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Chris Okaeben, and his management team visited the Palace.

Ewuare urged the government to continue to execute people-centred projects for the overall progress and development of the state.

He expressed the hope that the development of the road infrastructure would stimulate economic growth and enhance the wellbeing of Edo people and Nigerians in general.

He also urged the governor to strengthen social cohesion and provide governance that would positively impact the lives of the Edo residents, in spite of deliberate criticisms by some individuals.

 “We haven’t seen an overhead bridge like this in Edo before.

“It’s during his tenure that we’re seeing this kind. Some people deliberately criticise the governor,” he said.

The commissioner recalled his long-standing relationship with the Oba’s family and solicited for his prayer and blessings.

Following his request, the Toghobaghase of Benin, Chief Agbonavbare Egharevba, offered prayer for him on behalf of the royal father.

The governor’s focus on road development has been remarkable, with several ongoing projects to improve connectivity and facilitate economic growth in the state.