Saraki silent on defection from APC as Senate adjourns until September

Senate President, Bukola Saraki, was mute on his status in the All
Progressives Congress (APC), amid series of defections to the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday.

Saraki, who escaped a police cordon to oversee Tuesday plenary, is
widely expected to leave the ruling party.

The Senate President read out the names of 15 Senators who had
cross-carpeted to the PDP, but remained silent on his position.

The Senators who have defected are: Sen. Tejouso Lanre, Sen. Shaaba
Lafiaji, Sen. Gemade Barnabas, Sen. Dino Melaye, Sen. Shittu Ubali,
Sen. Rafiu Ibrahim, Sen. Isa Misau, Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, Sen.
Monsurat Sunmunu, Sen. Danbaba Abdullahi, Sen. Nafada Usman, Sen.
Suleiman Nazif, Sen. Rafiu Kwankwaso and Sen. Abdul-Azeez Murtala
Nyako.

This effectively means PDP has 64 lawmakers in the Senate, while APC has 45.

Saraki is now the only Senator from Kwara state still officially under the APC.

The Senate has been adjourned until September 26.