Exactly one month to the much anticipated February general elections, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has continued to be struck with a wave of defections, with the latest being nine Senators of the Federal Republic who pitched tent with the All Progressives Congress.

The defecting Senators are Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi Central); Bassey Otu (Cross River South); Barnabas Gemade (Benue North East); Mohammed Magoro ( Kebbi South); Nurudeen Abatemi-Usman ( Kogi Central); Helen Esuene (Akwa Ibom); and Ita Enang (Akwa Ibom North East ). Others are Ahmed Zannah (Borno Central) and Saidu Alkali (Gombe North).

Speaking to Journalist in Abuja, Enang told reporters, “I am working for the APC to ensure that it wins governorship election down to any other position. I will only work for Jonathan for presidency.”

(Ita Enang {left} and Senator Helen Esuene {center}, as captured in the Cover Picture at the 2nd South-South economic summit that was held in Asaba, Delta State between 25th and 28th April, 2012, were among the defected PDP members)

With the development, the membership of the PDP crashed to 64 in the red chamber which has a total number of 109 senators. The APC now has 41 members while other parties constitute the remaining.

The defecting senators attributed their action to the aftermath of the PDP primary which they alleged was hijacked by the governors in collaboration with the national leadership of the party.

They dumped the PDP after being denied the party’s tickets to return to the Senate. The opposition parties had willingly accepted them and handed over the tickets to them.