Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the federal lawmaker representing Rivers West Senatorial District, has formally abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party. She has now registered as a member of the All Progressives Congress, according to official party records. This switch marks a major realignment for a prominent female politician from a state long considered a PDP stronghold.
Banigo's defection occurred in the first week of March 2026, as confirmed by APC membership registers in her local government area. The senator, who also served as the 15th Deputy Governor of Rivers State, submitted her APC registration documents at her Ward 2 unit in Degema Local Government Area. Her departure from the PDP follows a period of internal party strife and shifting alliances within the state's political structure.
The move is a significant blow to the PDP's representation in the National Assembly from the South-South region. Banigo was elected to the Senate on the PDP platform in the 2023 general elections. Her current term runs until 2027, meaning she will now complete her legislative tenure under the banner of the ruling APC. This alters the composition of the Senate, where party affiliation directly influences committee assignments and legislative influence.
Political analysts point to the defection as part of a broader pattern of realignment in Rivers State politics. The state has experienced intense rivalry between factions loyal to different political figures, creating an environment conducive to cross-carpeting. Banigo's decision suggests a strategic calculation about the future direction of power and patronage at both the state and federal levels.
The senator's political career includes a tenure as Secretary to the Rivers State Government before her election as deputy governor. Her defection therefore carries weight beyond a single senate seat; it involves a senior political figure with extensive administrative experience and a network of supporters. The APC's successful recruitment of such a figure indicates its deepening inroads into a traditionally opposition-held region.
No immediate statement has been released by Senator Banigo detailing her reasons for changing parties. However, the defection aligns with the APC's concerted efforts to consolidate its influence in the Niger Delta ahead of the next electoral cycle. Party officials have been actively courting prominent politicians from the PDP in several South-South and South-East states since the beginning of the year.
The Rivers State chapter of the PDP now faces the task of containing further defections following this high-profile exit. Party leaders are scheduled to hold an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt later this week to assess the damage and strategize for upcoming local government elections. The loss of a sitting senator weakens the party's bargaining power and could affect its mobilization capacity on the ground.
Attention now turns to the Senate President, who must formally recognize the change in Banigo's political affiliation within the chamber's records. The next plenary session of the Senate, scheduled for March 17, will likely include an announcement of the defection. Meanwhile, the APC in Rivers State is preparing a formal reception ceremony to welcome Senator Banigo into its fold, an event expected to draw top party officials from Abuja.
