The President of the Nigerian Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the Kwara State governor, Alhaji Abdulfattah  Ahmed on Tuesday announced their resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Saraki announced his resignation from the APC on Tuesday via his verified Twitter handle, @bukolasaraki.

He wrote: “I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC).”

Moments after Saraki announced his resignation, Ahmed followed suit, disclosing that he has dumped the APC to pitch his tent with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Announcing his defection through a statement released through Muyideen Akorede, his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Ahmed said his decision followed due consultations with the people and in response to calls by major stakeholder groups in the state.

The governor, who is seen as Saraki’s political ally added that he defected to the PDP having realized that the APC could no longer serve as a viable platform for him to meet the aspirations and expectations of his people.

“Following due consultations with the people and in response to calls by major stakeholder groups in the state, Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed today defected to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), having realized that the All Progressive Congress (APC) can no longer serve as a platform for achieving the aspirations and expectations of his people,” the statement read.

Nigerians and many political analysts in the country had  expected Mr. Saraki’s resignation from the APC especially following the defection of federal lawmakers from his Kwara State from the ruling party last week.

The Senate President was among the 11 PDP Senators who joined the APC on January 29, 2014 after they fell out with the then President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan-led administration.

Two months before Saraki’s departure from the PDP, Governor Ahmed, alongside four other then PDP governors also defected to the then opposition APC. The other governors were Chibuike Amaechi (Rivers State), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto State), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano State) although Kwankwaso, now a senator has since found his way back to the PDP.