The Chairman, Senate Committee on Capital Market, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, yesterday made known his intention to run for president in next year’s general election.
Also yesterday, the Deputy Minority Whip of the Senate, Senator Ibrahim Danbaba, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Amosun, who represents Ogun Central, announced his intention to declare for the office of president on May 5 at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja in a letter read by Senate President Ahmad Lawan at plenary.
He is the third APC senator to join the presidential race.
Senators Anayo Rochas Okorocha and Orji Uzor Kalu had announced their bid for the presidency.
Amosun’s letter reads: “It is with the greatest respect that I write to notify you and my distinguished colleagues of my intention to contest the office of president of our dear country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to respectfully invite you and my distinguished colleagues to the formal declaration ceremony.
“I have been blessed by God to serve as Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 2003 and 2007 and as a two-term governor of Ogun State between 2011 and 2019.
“I have also had the privilege to be elected a second time to the Senate of the Federal Republic in 2019 where I currently serve the good people of Ogun Central Senatorial District.
“My varied experience in private and public life has imbued me with requisite insights, experience and network of relationships adequate to provide a leadership that will galvanise our dear country to achieve her manifest destiny as leader in Africa and of the black race.”
Lawan also read Danbaba’s letter of change of allegiance from PDP to APC.
Danbaba represents Sokoto South Senatorial District. He was appointed the Deputy Minority Whip on July 15, 2021, following the defection of the former Deputy Deputy Whip, Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u, representing Zamfara North, from the PDP to the APC.
Danbaba’s defection brings the total number of APC senators in the upper chamber to 71, PDP 37 and Young Progressives Party (YPP) 1.
The lawmaker, in his letter, explained that his decision to leave PDP was informed by the lingering and multifaceted crisis at the zonal level.
Senator Danbaba’s letter reads: “I write to formally inform you and distinguished colleagues of my decision to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“My decision is anchored on the continuing multifaceted crises that have bedevilled the PDP, especially at the zonal level, which have created not only credibility problems, but have undermined party discipline, cohesion and focus.”
“The situation at the state level has not helped matters either as depicted by lack of political sanity, focus and credible leadership.
“I have in APC, the political ideology in consonance with my personal political philosophy. This ideology also seems the best suited to meet the expectations and aspirations of my constituents.
“While thanking you, Mr. President, please accept the assurances of my highest consideration.”
Attempts by Senators Philip Aduda (PDP, FCT) and Lilian Uche Ekwunife (PDP, Anambra Central), to rely on point of orders to stop Danbaba’s defection were unsuccessful, as the Senate President ruled them out of order.
Senate Ekwunife, while relying on Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), requested that Danbaba’s seat be declared vacant.
The Senate President, however, ruled her out of order, explaining that the reasons advanced by Senator Danbaba were valid and excusable under the law.
Lawan welcomed Danbaba to the APC, saying the new entrant would be accorded all privileges due to members in the party.