Nine senators who recently defected from their former political parties to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have cited internal crises, leadership disputes and concerns about Nigeria’s multi-party democracy as reasons for their decisions.

The lawmakers include Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia), Binos Yaroe (Adamawa), Victor Umeh (Anambra), Tony Nwoye (Anambra), Lawal Usman (Kaduna), Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa), Austin Akobundu (Abia) and Ireti Kingibe (FCT).

Meanwhile, Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Their letters of defection, addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, were read during plenary on Thursday.

Tambuwal said his decision to leave the PDP was prompted by persistent internal crises, leadership disagreements and litigations within the party, which he noted had weakened its unity and direction.

Abaribe explained that his move to the ADC was part of a broader effort to strengthen and deepen Nigeria’s democratic system, while Yaroe said his decision was motivated by a desire to work with other Nigerians to ensure the country remains a multi-party democracy.

However, Abaribe’s defection sparked debate on the Senate floor after some lawmakers argued that there was no internal crisis within the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the party under which he was elected.

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau noted that the constitution permits legislators to defect only when there is a division within their party or when parties merge. According to him, while divisions exist within the PDP, there was no evidence of such disputes in APGA or the Labour Party.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele suggested that Abaribe’s letter be referred to the National Assembly’s legal department and external solicitors for advice on the constitutional implications.

Responding, Abaribe insisted that he had not been removed from his party and maintained that his defection was valid under the constitution.

In his ruling, Akpabio asked Abaribe to reconsider his position before the next sitting of the Senate and provide a definite decision on his status.

Following the defections, the current party composition in the Senate stands at: All Progressives Congress (APC) with 87 senators; ADC, nine; PDP, seven; APGA, one; NDC, one; and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP), one. Three seats remain vacant following the death of former occupants.