Allwell Onyesoh, senator representing Rivers south-east, and Mpigi Barinada, Rivers west lawmaker, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the defections on Tuesday during plenary after reading the lawmakers’ letters to the upper chamber.

In his letter, Mpigi formally declared his decision to join the APC, thanking the PDP for giving him his first opportunity to serve in the senate.

“Today, I formally join the All Progressives Congress,” Mpigi said, adding that he had communicated his resignation to the PDP at the ward and local government levels.

“I thank my former party, the People’s Democratic Party, for affording me the first opportunity to enter the red chamber,” he said.

Barinada, in his letter, said his decision followed extensive consultations with his constituents, noting that the move was taken in what he described as their collective interest.

Speaking after the defections, Opeyemi Bamidele, senate leader, said the APC was constitutionally bound to admit new members without discrimination.

“The ruling party that produced us is a party registered under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Bamidele said, adding that the APC had a responsibility to open its doors to those willing to join.

He said lawmakers were entitled to defect if they believed the government was performing and their constituents supported such a move.

“If a government is doing well in the estimation of stakeholders, it is allowed in a democracy for such legislators to cross carpet,” he said.

Bamidele dismissed claims that the defections were part of a plan to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, insisting that the lawmakers were acting voluntarily.

“Nobody is joining our party under any form of coercion,” he said.

Akpabio, in his remarks, urged the APC to learn from the internal challenges confronting the PDP, stressing that all members, including defectors, must be treated equally.

He also noted the need for the party to uphold internal democracy.

The defections were witnessed by Magnus Abe, former senator, members of the house of representatives, and officials of the APC national working committee.

The party delegation was led by Bukar Dalori, deputy national chairman, and included Ajibola Basiru, national secretary; Victor Giadom, vice-chairman, south-south; Felix Morka, national publicity secretary; and Duro Meseko, his deputy.