President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has officially received two senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further consolidating the party’s strength in the National Assembly.
The President met with the lawmakers — Senator Kaila Samaila Dahuwa of Bauchi North and Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe of Cross River North — at the State House, Abuja, on Wednesday evening. They were led to the meeting by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Akpabio said the senators’ defection was a reflection of their commitment to national unity and development rather than partisan politics.
According to him, “As a result of Mr President’s policies that have turned things around economically and particularly in terms of revenue generation for the nation, they found it expedient to come in and join him to build Nigeria. There’s nothing but to build Nigeria — they are not interested in which political party is in power. They are interested in who can run Nigeria, who can improve Nigeria, who can put food on the tables of Nigerians.”
Senator Dahuwa, whose defection was earlier announced on the floor of the Senate on October 11, 2025, had cited persistent internal crises and unresolved disputes within the PDP as the reason for his exit.
Speaking at the State House, Dahuwa said his decision to join the APC was inspired by the desire to support President Tinubu’s economic and reform agenda.
“We are not joining another political party for selfish reasons,” he explained. “We are joining as patriotic Nigerians to move Nigeria forward because we believe the President is doing very well economically and in other sectors. We joined this winning team so that we win together.”
Similarly, Senator Jarigbe said his move to the ruling party was a show of confidence in the President’s leadership. “I joined the APC because the President is really doing well and I want to come in and support him,” he stated.
In a related development, President Tinubu also received Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, who last week officially defected from the PDP to the APC along with members of his cabinet and supporters.
Vice President Kashim Shettima had represented the President during the grand reception held at Michael Okpara Square, Enugu, where Governor Mbah and his team were formally welcomed into the party.
