Benson Agadaga, the senator representing Bayelsa East, on Wednesday announced his resignation from the People's Democratic Party (PDP), blaming internal strife for his decision to leave the party and describing it as the collapse of discipline and unity within the party.
In a letter by Godswill Akpabio, which was read during Wednesday's plenary, the senator said his defection is a “time of change” in his political journey, describing the PDP as a party that has lost its cohesion and purpose.
“This is a notice of my defection from PDP to All Progressives Congress,” he said.
“The Bible says there is a time for everything.”
He recalled his long service to Bayelsa State under several administrations, including his roles as Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism; Acting Chairman, Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board; Special Adviser on Establishment Matters; And Chief of Staff of the State Government.
“I voluntarily retired from public service in 2003 to serve as Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism under the administration of His Excellency Governor DFR Gabbani Siad,” he said.
“I also had the privilege of serving as the Acting Chairman of the Bayelsa State Universal Basic Education Board during the tenure of His Excellency Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as Governor of Bayelsa State.”
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The senator expressed gratitude to the PDP for providing him the opportunity to serve, acknowledging that his rise to the Senate was made possible by the party and its former leadership.
He said, “The fact that I stand today as a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is due to the generosity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) when it was intact and the goodwill of many well-wishers.”
However, he lamented that the party had descended into anarchy.
“It is extremely surprising and extremely disappointing to see that the world's most glorious and largest political party in Africa has fallen into pieces due to internal strife,” he said.
“The center can't hold up anymore. The umbrella is ruined, and the umbrella is leaking too much.”
He also criticized the opposition's “inconsistency in political diplomacy” within the PDP, and said that deliberations across political differences led them to this decision.
He declared, “I have finally come to the inevitable conclusion that addressing progressivism, thinking progressive and acting progressive is the only way to renew hope for all united Nigerians.”
“I am therefore obliged to formally announce my resignation from the People's Democratic Party.”
Announcing his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), he said, “I announce my resignation from the All Progressives Congress with effect from today, October 29, 2025.”
