Bayelsa Senator Konbowei dumps PDP, joins APC

Bayelsa Senator Konbowei Dumps PDP, Joins APC

Senator Benson Konbowei, representing Bayelsa Central, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing deep disillusionment with his former party’s internal crises and dwindling prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Konbowei’s defection was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read on the floor of the upper legislative chamber during Thursday’s plenary.

The Bayelsa lawmaker said his decision followed extensive consultations with his family, political associates, and leaders within and outside the state.

“Considering the unpleasant circumstances and the crisis-torn situation in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of which I’ve been a member since 1998, and from which I was elected into the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I have resolved to resign,” Konbowei stated.

He lamented what he described as the PDP’s chronic leadership crises and inability to function as an effective opposition.

“In coming to this decision, I’ve taken a deep look at the protracted leadership crisis and the division that has resulted from the competition for power within the PDP, especially at the national level. I’ve lost hope in the capacity of my party to play the role of a political party that is capable of winning councillorship elections in Nigeria,” he said.

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Konbowei, who also expressed nostalgia for the founding ideals of the PDP, said the party had deviated from the vision of its founding fathers.

“Oh Alex Ekwueme, oh Solomon Lar of blessed memory, the political party you all built, which held lofty promises for Nigerians, has fallen into wrong hands,” he said.

“Lacking the principled leadership of you, the founders, the PDP has become characterised by eternal power struggles, irreconcilable conflicts, and at the moment, is in total disarray.”

The senator added that the worsening divisions within the party and the approaching 2027 elections made it impractical to remain in the fold.

Declaring his allegiance to the APC, Konbowei said, “Accordingly, it has left me with no option but to resign from that party you all built. So, I hereby resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party and hereby declare my total loyalty, support and movement to the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

His defection comes barely 48 hours after Senator Kaila Samaila (Bauchi North) also dumped the PDP for the APC.

Similarly, on October 8, Senator Kelvin Chukwu, representing Enugu East, left the Labour Party (LP) for the APC, citing internal crises within his former party.

 

Bayelsa Senator Konbowei dumps PDP, joins APC