THERE was drama yesterday in the Senate as Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) announced his tactical defection from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It all took place on the floor of the upper chamber with APC and PDP senators being caught off guard.
Although Melaye did not mention “defection”, he requested Senate President Bukola Saraki to quickly assign him a seat on the side of the minority PDP.
The embattled Kogi West senator, who appeared in Senate chamber clutching a walking stick and wearing neck brace, claimed that he was no longer comfortable sitting on the side of APC senators.
Melaye said: “Mr. President, I want to seek your indulgence; you will call in the sergeant-at-arms to look for a comfortable sit for me on the other side of the divide.
“Mr. President, because of the trauma I went through and I am still going through, I want to seek your indulgence that you will call on the sergeant-at-arm to look for a comfortable seat for me on this side (pointing at PDP row) of the divide because I am no longer comfortable sitting here.
“So, I want to ask Mr. President that you mandate the sergeant-at-arms tomorrow to look for a seat for me on this other divide of the chamber. And that before you do that today, through help of my walking stick, I will take a comfortable seat close to Papa General Senator David Mark, pending when you get me a comfortable seat on this side.
“I want to thank you very much and say no retreat, no surrender.”
Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan and Chief Whip Olusola Adeyeye, however, struggled to ensure that Melaye did not cross to the PDP side.
Lawan went the extra mile to even offer his seat to Melaye, if that would make him comfortable.
Adeyeye said allowing Melaye to move to the PDP side, the way the Kogi senator wanted, would bring disorder in the chamber.
Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu said what Melaye was looking for was welfare and comfort.
Ekweremadu, who read relevant sections of the constitution, noted that Melaye should be allowed to sit where he would be comfortable as doing otherwise would not be in his interest.
Senate Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio cited privileges of senators and declared that PDP senators were not complaining.
He welcomed Melaye to the PDP side and assured him of his absolute comfort.
Other PDP senators who joined the fray rushed to the APC side to escort Melaye to their side.
Senate President Bukola Saraki, in his ruling, said: “As he said, we all thank God for his life. Let me on his behalf and on behalf of all of us thank those that gave all the supports during the difficult times and travails he has been through.
“We as members of the National Assembly have always shown that whatever happens to one happens to all.”