Niger South Senator Dumps PDP For APC In Political Switch

The senator representing Niger South Senatorial District, Peter Jiya, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, in a move that has altered the current political balance in the Senate.

According to Ireporter Online, the development was formally announced during plenary on Tuesday after the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read a letter from the lawmaker informing the upper chamber of his decision. In the correspondence, the senator disclosed that his resignation from the PDP took effect from March 10, citing lingering internal conflicts and deep-seated divisions within the party as the primary reason for his departure.

He noted that the persistent disagreements within the PDP had become irreconcilable, prompting him to seek a new political platform. The lawmaker further stated that his decision to align with the APC was driven by his desire to continue his political career under a more stable structure.

While announcing his exit, the senator expressed appreciation to the PDP for the opportunity it provided him to serve, extending his goodwill to the party and expressing hope that it would overcome its internal challenges in the future.

Following the defection, the composition of the Senate has shifted, with the APC now holding a dominant majority, while other parties retain significantly smaller representations. Additionally, three Senate seats remain vacant due to the deaths of Barinada Mpigi, Godiya Akwashiki, and Okey Ezea.