Ruling party remains confident despite exit of 51 National Assembly members

14 Senators, who were members of the APC in the upper legislative chamber, dumped the party, with 12 of them defecting to the oppositionPeople's Democratic Party (PDP), before 37 members of the House of Representatives also dumped the party.

While 32 of them defected to the PDP, four lawmakers moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the political party adopted by the Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM) launched by former president, Olusegun Obasanjo; but the last one, Emmanuel, remained unclear on his destination.

Senator Muritala Nyako (Adamawa Central) and Senator Monsurat Sumonu (Oyo Central), also defected to the ADC.

In reaction to the defection, the party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the APC is unfazed by the departure of those he said were unwilling to yield to the party's attempts to solve differences.

Despite the defection leading to the party's loss of the Senate majority on Tuesday, Abdullahi said the party will consolidate on its majority in the federal House of Representatives and state assemblies.

He further urged members to remain calm and be assured that the party will perform strongly in the 2019 general elections despite the defections.

He said, "The All Progressives Congress (APC) notes the development in the National Assembly with the defection of some of our members from the Party.

"In the last couple of weeks our Party leaders have worked to stave off this situation as responsible Party leaders would do. It would appear however that the individuals involved have different considerations beyond the grievances that they were willing to discuss and which our leaders were willing to address.

"As a truly democratic party, we respect the right of every citizen to political association. Therefore, we urge our members to remain calm as we continue to work hard to position our party strongly for the next general elections.

"APC remains in firm control of 25 states of the 36 states of the federation and maintains a clear majority in the federal House of Representatives and state assemblies.

"We assure members and supporters that our great Party will continue to consolidate on our majority status in the leadup to the 2019 General Elections, even as our government continue to work hard to deliver on our promises to Nigerians."

List of Senators who dumped APC

Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central ) are two of the most notable lawmakers that dumped the APC for the PDP on Tuesday.

Others are Lanre Tejuoso (Ogun Central), Shaaba Lafiagi (Kwara North), Banabas Gemade (Benue North East), Rafiu Ibrahim (Kwara South), and Shitu Ubali (Jigawa North-East)

The others are Danbaba Ibrahim (Sokoto South), Usman Nafada (Gombe North), Nasif Nafada (Bauchi North), Isah Misau (Bauchi Central) and Suleman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North).

Senator Muritala Nyako (Adamawa Central) and Monsurat Sumonu (Oyo Central) defected from the APC to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Even though his name was read by Senate President, Bukola Saraki, as one of the PDP defectors, SenatorSoji Akanbi (Oyo South) has announced that it was a mistake and declared his commitment to the APC.

"I remain a bona fide, committed, unrepentant member of APC," he said.

House of Reps members who dumped APC

The 32 lawmakers that dumped the APC for the PDP are Garba Umar (Kano), Olayonu Tope (Kwara), Ahmed Garba (Kano), Kabiru Marafa (Sokoto), Zakari Mohammed (Kwara), Abubakar Amuda-Kanike (Kwara), Ali Madaki (Kano), Hassan Saleh (Benue), Ahman Pategi (Kwara), Mark Gbillah (Benue), Shehu Usman (Kano), Aminu Shagari (Sokoto), Nuhu Danburam (Kano), and Atunwa Abdulrazak (Kwara).

Others are Salisu Zakari (Bauchi), Hassan Omale (Kogi), Rufai Chanchangi (Kaduna), Abdulsamad Dasuki (Sokoto), Sani Zoro (Jigawa), Benjamin Okolo (Kogi), Funke Adedoyi (Kwara), Bode Ayorinde (Ondo), Bashiru Salihu (Sokoto), and Barry Mpigi (Rivers).

The remaining defectors are Nasiru Sule (Kano), Segun Ogunwuyi (Oyo), Lawal Rabiu (Kaduna), Sani Rano (Kano), Dickson Tarkighir (Benue) Musa Adotsamiya (Kano) and Emmanuel Udende (Benue).

APC lawmakers that defected to ADC are Sunday Adepoju (Oyo), Olugbemi Samson (Oyo), Taiwo Michael (Oyo) and Olasupo Abiodun (Oyo).