Niger South Senator Jiya Defects from PDP to APC

Jiya, the Senator representing Niger South, announced his defection from the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a plenary session on Tuesday. He formally notified the Senate of his decision through a letter read by the Senate President.

Jiya's resignation from the PDP is effective from March 10 and is attributed to unresolved internal crises within the PDP. In his letter, he expressed gratitude to the PDP for providing him a platform to serve the country.

Following his defection, the composition of the Senate now includes 86 members from the APC, 9 from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), 7 from the PDP, 1 from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), 1 from the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), 1 from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and 1 from the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Additionally, three Senate seats remain vacant due to the deaths of Barinada Mpigi from Rivers South-East, Godiya Akwashiki from Nasarawa North, and Okei Ezea from Enugu North.