Defection: Enang's Opinion Personal - Senate

BEVERLY HILLS, CA, January 10, (THEWILL) - The Senate on Friday distanced itself from the personal opinion of one of its members; Senator Ita Enang, to the fact that the Senate would declare the seat of any defecting senator from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) vacant.

Senate Spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, in a  statement in Abuja also debunked reports that tend  to align the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, to the said statement credited to Senator Enang.

Abaribe said the report credited to Senator Enang is wholly his personal opinion to which he is entitled to and has nothing to do with the Senate as a chamber of the National Assembly.

The statement, he added, also has nothing to do with the President of the Senate who had in a statement assured that the leadership of the PDP would work to keep the party intact and prevent further crisis in the party.

Abaribe fsaid "in the first place, there is no acrimony in the Senate irrespective of political party affiliation.

  The Senate is still on vacation to resume on the 14th of January and only after its  deliberations would any statement on urgent matters of state be issued.

"It is therefore preposterous to attribute the personal opinion of a Senator to represent the resolution of the Senate and its highly respected leadership as exemplified by the Senate President Mark.

"Senate position as statutory is always relayed by its spokesman.

In which case it becomes safe to say that senate has spoken," he said.

Abaribe further declared that the Senate is at peace and there was no sign that the senators are working at cross purposes with each other.

"It is one whole family of patriotic Nigerians who first and foremost defers to issues that are of national interest.

"The Senate as presently constituted, is peopled by very distinguished Nigerians who see the  institution for what it is; a hallowed chamber whose decisions and resolutions  are shaped by honour and love for country," he said.

BY EMMA UCHE, ABUJA