UPDATED: Rivers senator Banigo defects from PDP to APC

Senator Ipalibo Banigo, representing Rivers West Senatorial District, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Banigo stated her determination is meant to align politically with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and to assist efforts to advance improvement within the state and the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Her letter of defection was learn on the ground of the Senate on Tuesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, a video of which was posted on the Senate’s official Fb web page and monitored by PidomNigeria On-line.

Within the letter, Banigo acknowledged, “I rise to formally inform you and my distinguished colleagues of the Senate of the choice to defect from the Individuals’s Democratic Party and subsequently be part of the APC.

“The choice follows in depth consultations with my constituents, my political associates, and significant stakeholders throughout my senatorial district, given the prevailing inner divisions, protracted management disputes, and ongoing litigations inside the Individuals’s Democratic Party, which have adversely affected cohesion.

“This determination can also be predicated on my resolve to affix my political mentor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in supporting President Bola Tinubu, to actualize his re-election bids and allow the President to proceed his evident financial reforms, which have considerably improved the financial state of affairs, enhanced foreign money stability, and pushed quite a few infrastructural developments throughout our expensive nation.”

Banigo additionally expressed appreciation for Tinubu’s function in fostering political stability and strengthening governance in Rivers.

“Moreover, I stay dedicated to supporting the First Girl, Her Excellency Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in consolidating the average function she has persistently performed in her steadfast assist of the President all through his distinguished political journey and in advancing initiatives that positively affect the lives of Nigerians,” she added.

After studying the letter, Akpabio welcomed Banigo to the ruling occasion, noting that “a seat is already ready” for her and others who’re going to affix.

The defection is the most recent in a collection of cross-party shifts as politicians place for the 2027 common elections and search alignment with federal authority.

On Monday, Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and his deputy, Mani Mummuni, additionally defected to the APC, citing the protracted disaster and authorized disputes inside the PDP.