Mass defection overloading APC, it will capsize, says Abba Moro

Abba Moro, senate minority leader, says the All Progressives Congress (APC) is now akin to a boat being overloaded midstream. He added that the gale of defections to the ruling party poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.Moro spoke on Tuesday during plenary, after Barinada Mpigiand Allwell Onyesoh, senators representing Rivers south-east and Rivers east, respectively, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. The defections were witnessed by APC leaders and members whowere admitted into the red chamber after the senate suspended its rules. Reacting after the resumption of plenary, Moro described thedevelopment as “a dangerous drift in Nigeria’s democracy”, saying suchmovements weaken opposition and democratic balance. “In view of what has just happened, I want to say mycolleagues on this part of the aisle who have moved have exercised their rightsto associate as they wish,” he said. “Let me say here, like I have said before, that when youoverload a boat midstream, the possible consequence is the load capsizing. “Mr President, I think that when people move, they shouldhave the courage to move with this conviction and not to give the impression ofthe imminent collapse of the PDP or the opposition. “You know, in our tradition, you can’t beat a child and askhim not to cry. “I find it a little unfortunate that the leader of thesenate is congratulating himself and his party on the dangerous drift ofNigeria’s democracy. “I want to insist that this is not good for democracy.” Senate President Godswill Akpabio interjected and asked Moroto “restrict” himself “to the business of the day”. “Contrary to the impression, I want to insist that this sideof the aisle has not collapsed,” Moro added. “We will continue to work for the interest of Nigeria onthis part of the aisle.” Moro’s remarks drew objections from Barau Jibrin, deputysenate president, who said the minority leader breached senate rules. “What the minority leader just said were his personalopinions,” Jibrin said “He ought to have come under Order 42. All that he said isin violation of our rules.” Agreeing with Barau, Akpabio said the protest did not complywith senate rules, noting that the defection letters had earlier been read anddeferred before being taken again ahead of the day’s main business. “What Moro did is invalid,” Akpabio said. However, the senate president added that expressingdissatisfaction should not be suppressed, referencing Moro’s remark that “Ifyou beat a child, you don’t stop him from crying”. Earlier, Mpigi and Onyesoh attributed their defections tointernal divisions within the PDP at the national level.The defections reduced the PDP’s representation in thesenate from 26 to 24, while increasing the APC’s seats from 75 to 77.

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