Senators elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who were considering defecting have lost interest in the main opposition party due to the cold war between Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s presidential nominee, and certain state governors, including Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.
Following warnings that they might lose their seats and the upheaval roiling the PDP, Anaedoonline.ng knows that the planned defection of 15 APC senators may not materialize.
Additionally, the PDP has made it clear to the majority of senators that it cannot withdraw its candidates from the Independent National Electoral Commission after their names have already been submitted (INEC).
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The PDP could only offer the offended senators ministerial and board jobs and other forms of rehabilitation if they win the 2023 election since the electoral law only permits the PDP to replace candidates with party members and not defectors.
The APC senators who are upset have second thoughts about leaving the party, according to numerous sources quoted in the paper.
The senators reportedly met with the leadership of the Senate; they were informed of the repercussions of their defection and swore not to permit such a situation before the elections in 2023.
While the PDP continues pressuring some of the senators to make symbolic defection to destabilize APC, most of the aggrieved lawmakers are allegedly waiting till after the Sallah break to see the outcome of the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari.
“So far, PDP has made it clear that it cannot offer us the same tickets denied us by APC.
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“Some of the leaders cited the Electoral Act 2022, which doesn’t allow a defector to replace a candidate already elected and presented to INEC. A replacement can only be from within PDP.
“The offers from PDP were limited to ministerial, board, and some ambiguous appointments if the party wins the next presidential election. Only a foolish politician will place his hope on uncertainty.
“We still have chances in APC if we allow President Muhammadu Buhari to address the injustice we complained about,” a senator from the North-East told The Nation.
Another Senator said: “Some of us are having a second thought on defection because of the crisis of confidence between PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and some stakeholders.
“It is obvious that PDP has a bigger problem at hand and it might go into the election divided. This is a landmine.”
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“From the situation, some PDP governors have opened collaborative talks with APC.
“Though the negotiations are still at preliminary stage, they cannot be wished away.”
A senator from the North-West said: “I am not defecting to any party again. I have not seen a viable alternative.”
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