Facts have emerged that the secret ambition of the Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, to come to the Senate if he eventually loses the presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party forced the Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate, Ibrahim Danbaba, to defect to the All Progressives Congress.
Governor Tambuwal and Senator Danbaba are from same Senator District: Sokoto South Senatorial District.
There are indications that Tambuwal has bought both presidential and senatorial Expression of Interest and Nomination forms of the PDP.
In order to avoid facing Tambuwal in a senatorial race, Danbaba was said to have taken the easy way out, with assurances from the APC that he would be given the ticket.
The lawmaker’s decision to join to the APC was conveyed in a letter read at the start of plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Wednesday.
Danbaba was nominated by the PDP on July 15, 2021 for the position of Deputy Minority Whip following the defection of the former Deputy Whip, Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u, representing Zamfara North Senatorial District, from the PDP to the APC.
Danbaba’s defection brings the total number of APC Senators in the upper chamber to 71, and PDP 37.
The lawmaker, in his letter, explained that his decision to leave the PDP was informed by the lingering and multifaceted crisis at the zonal level.
Senator Danbaba’s letter reads: “I write to formally inform you and distinguished colleagues of my decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).
“My decision is anchored on the continuing multifaceted crisis that have bedeviled the PDP, especially at the zonal level which has created not only credibility problems, but has undermined party discipline, cohesion and focus.
“The situation at the state level has not helped matters either as depicted by lack of political sanity, focus and credible leadership.
“I have in APC, the political ideology in consonance with my personal political philosophy. This Ideology also seems the best suited to meet the expectations and aspirations of my constituents.
“While thanking you, Mr. President, please, accept the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Attempts by Senators Philip Aduda (PDP, FCT) and Lilian Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Anambra Central) to rely on point of orders to stop Danbaba’s defection were unsuccessful as the Senate President ruled them out of order.
Senate Ekwunife, while relying on the provisions of Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), requested that Danbaba’s seat be declared vacant.
The Senate President, however, ruled her out of order, explaining that the reasons advanced by Senator Danbaba were valid and excusable under the law.
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