Senator Joshua Dariye on Thursday decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The former Plateau state governor who represents Plateau Central in the upper legislative chamber announced his decision during plenary.
Mr. Dariye on Thursday left the PDP, on whose platform he was first elected governor and then elected to the National Assembly to represent Plateau Central senatorial district.
In 2011, he defected from the PDP to Labour Party, where he contested the senatorial election.
When Mr. Dariye returned to the PDP in 2014, he explained that his decision to rejoin the party was because he was a founding member.
He had then assured of his “loyalty” to the PDP at all times.
However, in his latest defection letter to the senate president, he said, “after due consultations with my constituency, I write to notify you of my intention to cross over from the PDP to the APC.
“My decision is informed by the protracted division at the national level of the PDP that led to the massive movement of my supporters to the APC.
“Arising from this, I therefore write to formally inform you of my decision to go along with my supporters. I thank you for your understanding.’”
Fielding questions later from journalists, Mr. Dariye said his decision to dump the PDP was informed by the crack in the party.
He added that most of his constituents had defected to the ruling APC and that he wanted to be with his constituents for effective representation.
“My people in the PDP have moved to the APC and there is no need to remain alone,” he said.
Mr. Dariye, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Procurement, reiterated his commitment to serve the people of his constituency.
Despite his stated reason, Nigerians on social media have suggested the Senator did cross-carpet on the hope he would be helped to avoid conviction, being a member of the ruling party.
