Senator Godswill Akpabio

The Senate Minority Leader, Chief Godswill Akpabio, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would challenge Se. Andy Uba’s (PDP-Anambra) defection to All Progressives Congress (APC) in court.

Akpabio made this known at plenary on Tuesday under Order 45 of the Senate Standing Order and said that the PDP wound reclaim Uba’s committee appointment in the Senate from him.

He said “that position belongs to the PDP; we have a notice of our intention to go to court to reclaim that seat. It is to let you know that the party is not in dispute.’’

He, therefore, called on the Senate to declare Uba’s position as Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts, vacant in view of the defection.

Akpabio said that upper chamber should, at the next plenary, announce a new chairman for the committee.

Uba had at plenary, announced his defection to APC and pledged commitment to his new party’s resolve and determination to reposition the economy.

“This decision was arrived at after due consultation and engagement with my family, constituency and legal team.

“As a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I also sought relief from the same Constitution.

“I rely on Section 681 (g), which has also been tested in the Supreme Court.

“By this communication, I declare that I am now a card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress.

“I am committed to working with you and your party on how to unite, build our policies and take the vision of our party to our great country,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the lawmaker’s defection has increased the number of APC senators in the Red Chamber to 65 and reduced PDP to 42, while Labour Party has one member.

(NAN)