The Nigerian political front experienced a ground breaking turn of events that has sent waves around the sub-region. These defections according to BBC radio were the culmination of events that began with the motion for the impeachment of President Buhari on what was claimed to be an inappropriate handling of funds. The defection was announced by Senate President, Bukola Saraki who recently came under a police siege at his home.
However, the defectors say that the reason for the move is the fractionalization within the ranks of the party. And the move, that has been called as a victory for democracy by the opposition, has given the People’s Democratic Congress a majority in the Upper house of Representatives. It also serves the interests of the PDP who have in previous weeks have made attempts at the impeachment of the Nigerian President.
President Muhammadu Buhari has however wished the defectors well saying that “none of the defecting federal lawmakers has any grievances against me or the government I lead.” He also added that he respected “their freedom to choose what party to associate with.”
However, Mr. Adams Ochiomole; Chairman for the ruling party(All Progressives Congress), was not singing off the same song sheet. He called the just-defected lawmakers “mercenaries” who joined the ruling party to win elections adding that “while they were in the APC, they constituted themselves as opposition to the governing party.”
Whilst the President has called a commonplace occurrence on the eve of elections the move is one of the largest defections yet to be suffered by a ruling party.
