By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
Two senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayo Akinyelure (PDP Ondo Central) and Matthew Urhoghide (PDP Edo North) yesterday dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for yet to be announced party in the Senate.
In letters addressed to Senate President yesterday, Ahmed Lawan, which were read on the floor during plenary, Urhoghide said his decision was based on the crisis rocking the PDP at both national and State levels of the party.
The letter titled ‘Notification of Resignation of My Membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’, Urhoghide said “I write to formally inform you and the entire senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that I am resigning my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), effective immediately.
“This difficult decision arose out of the negative political energy emanating at the moment from the irreconcilable differences and squabbles within the PDP at the national level and especially in my dear state, Edo State.”
He said the squabbles have spiked to levels that have made it impossible for him, being a confirmed democrat, to function and grow as he envisioned in his political journey.
“I am however grateful to the party which yielded me the platform to achieve the mission of serving my country as a two-term senator — which experience afforded me the opportunity to meet and work with all you wonderful colleagues.
“The opportunity helped me to build and form important and lasting friendships here in the senate. Above all else, it imbued in me knowledge and experience that I could not have gotten anywhere else.
“As the 9th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria winds down, I congratulate my colleagues, both returning and outgoing, for the service which they rendered to our nation and a wish of God’s speed in whatever you find expedient to do, going forward.
In a related development, the senator representing Ondo Central, Akinyelure said in a letter titled ‘Notification of my resignation of my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’ that his decision to quit PDP was to enable him look at other areas of human endeavor that he can be of more value to his State and humanity at large.
“This is to formally inform you and all my Distinguished Colleagues in the 9th Senate of National Assembly that I am resigning my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party with effect from 11th June, 2023 when I must have completed my four-year tenure in the Senate of the 9 Assembly.
“I Therefore, wish to express my appreciation to the party for granting me the opportunity to serve Ondo Central Senatorial District and Nigeria in the Senate of the 9the Assembly on the Platform of PDP.
“This decision has come at this time since the 9th Senate is coming to an end soonest, I wish to use this medium to congratulate all my colleagues, both returning and outgoing for their much support and selfless service to the nation under your leadership for a job well done, and that we shall remain absolutely loyal to the Federal Republic of Nigeria as democratically elected representatives of Nigerians in the Senate of the 9th Assembly who have performed creditably well under your leadership.
“This is to enable me settle down and look forward to other areas of human and professional endeavours where I can be of value addition to my dear State, Ondo State and Nigeria in general. Once again, I say big congratulations for moving Nigeria forward to greater heights of development going forward in our political endeavours.”
Meanwhile, note that while Urhoghide is the chairman of Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC), Senators Akinyelure was Chairman of Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions.
