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By David Odama
The number of All Progressives Congress, APC senators in the Senate increased to 73 on Wednesday following the defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu, who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party, LP for Enugu East Senatorial District to the ruling party.
With the latest development, APC now controls the two-third majority while the number of lawmakers in the opposition parties has further reduced in the Red Chamber with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP having 28; Labour Party 4; All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA 2; while the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP and the Social Democratic Party, SDP have one each.
Citing internal crisis within his former party, Senator Chukwú, in a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, said his defection is with immediate effect, having consulted extensively with his constituents, political associates, and stakeholders across various levels in Enugu State.
Senator Chukwu stated in the letter read during plenary by the Senate President that recent developments within the Labour Party at both state and national levels had made it difficult for him to continue representing his constituents under its platform.
“I write to formally, effective immediately, resign from the Labour Party.
“Recent developments in the Labour Party at both the state and national levels have made it difficult for me to represent my constituents under its banner.
“After careful reflections, I am convinced that the APC under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu provides a more inclusive platform for the nation. I remain committed to serving the people of Enugu East. Accordingly, I hereby join the Progressives family in the 10th Senate,” he stressed.
The lawmaker added that his defection was driven by a desire to better serve his people and contribute more effectively to national development.
He said: “This decision was reached after extensive consultations with my constituents in my senatorial district, my political associates, and stakeholders across various levels in Enugu State.
“It is a reflection of my commitment to aligning with a platform that works. And I believe that I will do better and represent the collective interest of my people better.“
The lawmaker said his move to the APC would enable him to deliver greater dividends of democracy to his district and the wider Nigerian populace.
“I will bring more dividends of democracy. I will meet the aspirations of the good people of Enugu East Senatorial District and Nigerians at large,” Senator Chukwú promised.
