Following intervention by President Muhammadu Buhari and party leaders, 15 of 17 of the All Progressives Congress (APC) senators have shelved plans to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties.

They have also agreed to work for the victory of the party in next year’s poll and participate in the campaign, which kicks off in next month.

But, they got assurance of rehabilitation with Executive appointments after the party wins the next presidential election.

With this development, APC has a comfortable majority in the Senate, with no threat to the leadership structure of the chamber.

It was, however, a twist of fate for a former Governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, who left APC for the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Shekarau, who left APC about two months ago, was said to be heading to PDP because of his alleged “irreconcilable differences” with Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

It was, however, learnt that the vice presidential candidate of APC, Senator Kashim Shettima had opened talks with Shekarau on the need to remain in the party.

Sources said out of the aggrieved 17 APC senators, only two were still determined to quit the party.

The two senators, who were allegedly said to be from the Northeast, claimed that they have not seen any good reason to remain in the ruling party.

Read Also; Why I dumped NNPP, by Shekarau

One of the affected senators, who spoke in confidence, said: “With the assurances from President Buhari, some select leaders of the party and the APC leadership, we have decided to stay in our party and wait for how they will address our grievances.

“We have got only a pledge that we will be compensated with Executive appointments after our party wins the 2023 election. Yet, no concrete steps have been taken on this promise.

“The intervention of the President and some credible APC leaders actually raised our hope that our party will walk the talk after our victory in the general election.

“So far, only two senators among us have opted to leave APC or distance themselves from the electoral activities of the party.”

Another senator, who confided in our correspondent, said: “Some of us have realised that there is prospect for APC in 2023 than any other party.

Despite the fact that we were cheated in APC during the primaries, we opted to stay and fight for our rights in the party. If we don’t win today, we can tomorrow.

“And with the fate that befell Shekarau in NPPP, our decision has been justified. It doesn’t worth it jumping from one party to another.”

A senator from the Northcentral said: “The only viable option for us was PDP but, the opposition party did not offer us anything. Even when we thought PDP would concede some legislative slots, it didn’t.

“We cannot be ball boys in PDP. The option of PDP was worsened by the internal crisis in the party since Atiku Abubakar became the presidential candidate of the party.

“I think most of us have faith in Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s candidacy than Atiku of PDP. We are hopeful that APC will compensate our loyalty. We have made up our mind to work for the success of APC at the poll in 2023.”

The grievances of the senators included the following:

• Slowness in addressing the aftermath of party primaries
• Overbearingattitude of APC governors in some states
• No regular caucus meeting
• Lackof regular consultation with lawmakers by the President as expected in a democracy
• No constant interaction with party leadership
• Poor communication with the lawmakers and Nigerians on the fight against insurgency, banditry and killing of troops.
• Absence of inclusiveness

As at press time, it was gathered that Shekarau may defect to PDP.

Although it was gathered that Shettima has met with Shekarau, one of his aides quoted him as saying that “he doesn’t want to go back to his vomit.”

The source added: “PDP is actually wooing Shekarau and it appears to be his next destination if he wants to remain politically relevant in Kano State.

“Shekarau’s defection to NNPP was a disaster because his trust was betrayed by the leadership of the party.

“So far, talks with PDP have reached advanced stage because of Ganduje’s factor in APC. Some associates felt Shekarau ought to have considered President Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s factors as his political allies but APC as it is today in Kano is not accommodating.

“As I talk to you, Shekarau and his strategists prefer PDP than APC.

You will hear of the next destination from our principal.”