PDP senators stage walk out after losing member to APC

Senators who are members of the PDP staged a walk out after Senate President Bukola Saraki on Wednesday announced the defection of Yele Omogunwa, a senator from Ondo south, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Until his defection, Yele Omogunwa was the only PDP senator from Ondo state.

Godswill Akpabio, senate minority leader, ‎speaking after the announcement said since Omogunwa had defected to the APC, his seat ought to be declared vacant.

He asked Saraki to declare Omogunwa’s seat vacant.

Saraki however ruled Akpabio out of order, a development that threw the plenary into rowdiness.

The Minority Leader thereafter led other members of the PDP caucus put of the chamber in protest.

Akpabio speaking with journalists after the action said the senate caucus would work with the leadership of the PDP to ensure that Omogunwa’s seat was declared vacant.

He said; ‎”We walked out to protect the sanctity of democracy. Our protest is in line with the law,”.

“The supreme court has settled the issue there is no division in the PDP, so there is no need for a defection. So, Omogunwa should hand over our seat while he goes to support the APC in Ondo state.”