Senator Shaibu Lau Emerges New Deputy Senate Minority Leader

The Senator representing Taraba North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Shaibu Isa Lau has emerged as the Senate Deputy Minority Leader.

Ezenwoko’s Blog reports that Senator Lau assumed the position following his appointment by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Minority Caucus in the National Assembly.

Recall that the former Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South) defected from the PDP to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last week Thursday and was officially received by President Muhammadu Buhari.

During plenary on Tuesday,  Senate President Ahmad Lawan read a letter from the National Chairman of the PDP, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, announcing the choice of Senator Lau as the new occupant of the post.

Minutes later, Bwacha was officially recognized as a member of the APC on Tuesday morning on the floor by Lawan.

Lawan had directed the Chief Whip, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, to take Bwacha to his new seat on the section of the isle reserved for members of the ruling party.

Kalu promptly carried out the instruction even as members of the minority PDP kicked against the development.

Lawan said with the crossing over of Bwacha to the APC, the party now has 70 members in the Chamber while PDP has 38 leaving Young Progressives Congress (YPP) with one member.

Senator George Sekibo (PDP-Rivers East) efforts at drawing the attention of the Senate to the abnormality and illegality of Bwacha’s defection met with a brick wall.

The Senate President ruled him out of order citing the letter by the PDP National Chairman appointing a replacement for Bwacha.

Source: Ezenwoko’s Blog