The Senate on Tuesday appointed Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau (PDP, Taraba North) as the new Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate. This follows the defection of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha from the opposition, Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress last week.
The National Chairman of the PDP, Iyorcha Ayu, had written the Senate nominating Senator Lau as the new Deputy Minority Leader in the Red Chamber. The letter was read at the start of the plenary by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
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The letter reads in part, “Following the defection of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha to the ruling APC, the PDP Senate caucus has nominated as his replacement, Senator Shuaibu Isa Lau.
“Senator Lau is from Taraba State, the North-East geo-political zone of the country, where the position has been zoned. The PDP Senate caucus has duly informed the National Headquarters of the party, in view of which we so communicate to you.
“We believe that Senator Lau will be an asset to the leadership of the Senate. Thank you and accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
Bwacha’s defection brings the number of APC senators in the Red Chamber to 70; PDP, 38; and the Young Progressives Party, 1.
His decision to leave the opposition party was conveyed sequel to a point of order raised by the lawmaker during plenary.
Speaking on his defection, Senator Bwacha said, “In view of my desire for equal competition, and my desire to enjoy the full operations of my fundamental human rights, Mr President, I want to announce this day, that it is appointed to me, henceforth, to enjoy free air.
“As King Solomon said, there’s a time for everything; now is a time for me to leave the Peoples Democratic Party. Mr President, I say I have the opportunity to breathe freely because of deliberate isolation and huge division and factionalisation in the party in my state.
“Mr President, I had to leave because I seek to breathe better. This day, I announce henceforth my exit from the Peoples Democratic Party, and to join the governing party because of the visible presence of the party in my Senatorial District.
“I say this without fear of contradiction that my constituents are happy about this movement because of what they have seen on the ground in Taraba South Senatorial District. So, we make bold to pay the PDP back by ensuring that better days are ahead for the party in Taraba State.”
