Contrary to reports which followed the defection of some of the lawmakers elected on the platform of the party to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday, the  All Progressives Congress (APC) has insisted that it still has the majority of Senators in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

Speaking to journalists after a two hour meeting of APC lawmakers which followed announcement of defection of 15 of their colleagues to mostly the Peoples Democratic Party and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senate Leader, Ahmed Lawan said with 52 senators still in its fold, the ruling party continue to have majority control of the upper chamber of the National Assembly.

He put the number of senators alligned with PDP at 50.

In his words, “You’ll recall that some members of our family, the APC family gave a list that they have decamped from the APC to the PDP and other parties, the ADC in particular. It is with heavy heart that we have to watch our brothers and sisters in the APC caucus take the action they did.

“And we still are optimistic and confident that we will work with our leaders of the APC to bring back our colleagues who had gone.

“The essence of this press briefing is to let you know that even though some of our colleagues have left, the APC remains the majority party in the senate in terms of numbers. Out of the 109 senators, APC has 52, the PDP has 50, ADC has three and APGA has two. And you’ll recall that we lost two of our colleagues. So we have two vacant seats and the total gives you 109.”

Mr Lawan is optimistic his party will win rerun into the two vacant seats while some PDP members are still expected to defect to APC.

“I want to assure you that by the grace of God, INEC will conduct the by-elections, the APC will win because these are our safest seats.

“In addition, we are still expecting some of our colleagues in the original PDP who have expressed willingness to join the APC.

“For our colleagues that have left, we are still optimistic that many of them or all of them will have a change of heart.

He also noted that APC remains the majority party in the House of Reps.

“I want to use this opportunity to tell Nigerians that APC remains majority and this majority will continue to support Mr President to ensure that we fulfil our campaign promises. I have a list, we don’t do our things like others do, we back whatever we say with facts.”

Lawan read the names of the 52 senators, which according to him, are still in APC to journalists.

They include; Adamu Aliero (Kebbi), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi), Bala Ibn Na’Allah (Kebbi), Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto), Ibrahim Gobir (Sokoto), Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara), Kabir Marafa (Zamfara), Tijjani Kaura(Zamfara), Abu Ibrahim (Katsina), Umar Kurfi (Katsina), Kabir Gaya (Kano), Barau Jibrin (Kano), Abdullahi Gumel (Jigawa), Sabo Mohammed (Jigawa), Shehu Sani (Kaduna), Ahmed Lawan (Yobe), Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe), Ali Ndume (Borno), Abu Kyari (Borno), Baba Kaka Garbai (Borno),

The others are; Sabi Abdullahi (Niger), David Umar (Niger), Mustapha Muhammed (Niger), Abdullahi Adamu (Nasarawa), George Akume (Benue), Joshua Dariye (Plateau), Francis Alimikhena (Edo), Andrew Uchendu (Rivers), Magnus Abe (Rivers), Ovie Omo-Agege (Delta), John Enoh (Cross River), Nelson Effiong (Akwa Ibom), Andy Uba (Anambra), Sonni Ogbuoji (Ebonyi), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Ben Uwajimogu (Imo), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Binta Masi Garba (Adamawa), Ahmed Abubakar (Adamawa), Yusuf A. Yusuf (Taraba).

The list also included; Oluremi Tinubu (Lagos), Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos), Solomon Adeola (Lagos), Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo), Gbolahan Dada (Ogun), Soji Akanbi (Oyo), Ajayi Boroffice (Ondo), Yele Omogunwa (Ondo), Abdulfatai Buhari (Oyo), Babajide Omoworare (Osun), Sola Adeyeye (Osun), Fatimat Raji-Rasaki (Ekiti).

Mr Lawan said the number of PDP senators could even be less than 50 as the party recently expelled one of its senators.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the PDP expelled Ogun State senator, Buruji Kashamu, from the party on Monday.

“In fact one of the PDP senators was dismissed and expelled from the party. They could even be less than 50,” Mr Lawan said.

On why Mr Saraki was not included as part of APC senators, Mr Lawan said the caucus decided to play safe.

“Let’s be on the safe side, until someone say he has consciously decamped, that person remains APC.”

“In fact, that takes our number to 53 and reduces the number of PDP to 49,” he added jokingly.

On why Joshua Dariye, a former Plateau State governor who was last month jailed 14 years, was included in the list, Mr Lawan said the accused has appealed the case and could be acquitted.