With Senator Onyewuchi’s defection, the number of APC senators has risen to 61, leaving the LP with 6 members, PDP 37, NNPP and SDP 2 members each and APGA 1.
Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi (LP, Imo East) has dumped the Labour Party and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection of the lawmaker was announced by the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) during Tuesday’s plenary. Following this announcement, a letter was read on the floor of the Senate by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio.
Earlier during the plenary, the Senate admitted the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma and his team into the hallowed chamber in line with Senate rules, to witness Onyewuchi’s defection from LP to the ruling APC.
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In his letter, Onyewuchi based his communication on Section 68(1g) of the constitution citing the bickering among party leaders as one of the reasons for his exit.
The letter read: “This decision is due to the intractable division and crisis in the Labour Party that sponsored the earlier election into the Nigerian Senate.
“The communication is therefore made pursuant to Section 68(1g) of the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
“Imo state and the entirety of the south-east remain united under the leadership of our performing governor, his excellency, Hope Uzodimma.”
Thereafter, Akpabio directed the sergeant-at-arms to lead Onyewuchi to a new seat on the aisle of the majority lawmakers.
With the senator’s defection, the number of APC senators has risen to 61, leaving the LP with six members, PDP 37, NNPP and SDP two members each and APGA one.
STAR Check: Nigerians, particularly, constituents of Imo West district, can keep tabs on the legislative performance of Sen. Onyewuchi euchi throughout the 10th senate here.
