Index to Nigerian Newspapers

A row in the Senate ensued after Ondo South senator Yele Omogunwa defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement of Omogunwa's defection led to a walkout when Senate President Abubakar Bukola Saraki overruled the demand to declare Omogunwa's seat vacant. This may have strained the relationship between majority APC senators and their minority counterparts in PDP. Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio raised a point of order, citing the 1999 Constitution, and argued that there was no leadership crisis in PDP following a Supreme Court judgment. However, Saraki ruled Akpabio out of order, which angered PDP senators. Senator Dino Melaye justified Omogunwa's defection, citing Section 68 (g,h) of the 1999 Constitution. Senator Peter Nwaboshi argued that Melaye's intervention was a breach of procedure. The situation escalated into a row, with PDP senators demonstrating their disapproval of the situation.