With the defection of Melaye and 14 others, APC now minority party in the Nigerian Senate

In a turn of events that many observers may not have seen coming, the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) has now become the minority party in the Nigerian Senate.

Minutes ago, Senator Dino Melaye of Kogi State finally made his defection to the People’s Democratic Party formal on the floor of the Senate. He was joined by fourteen other senators: Tejouso Lanre, Shaaba Lafiaji, Gemade Barnabas, Shittu Ubali, Rafiu Ibrahim, Isa Misau, Suleiman Hunkuyi, Monsurat Sunmunu, Danbaba Abdullahi, Nafada Usman, Suleiman Nazif, Rafiu Kwankwaso and Abdul-Azeez Murtala Nyako.

Senate President, @bukolasaraki announces defection of Senators: @lanretejuoso, Shaaba Lafiagi, @BI_Gemade, @dino_melaye, Ubali Shittu, @rafiuibrahim, @SenIsahMisau, Suleiman Hunkuyi, @MonsuratSpeaks, Abdullahi Danbaba, Bayero Nafada, Suleiman Nazif, @RMKwankwaso…

— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 24, 2018

…Abdul-Aziz Nyako, Soji Akanbi to PDP.#TodayInSenatePlenary

— The Nigerian Senate (@NGRSenate) July 24, 2018

The move now shifts the balance of power, making PDP the majority party with 64 senators to APC’s 45.