The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Philip Aduda, has emerged as the new Minority Leader of the Senate.

His emergence followed the defection of former Minority Leader, Senator Abaribe (Abia South) from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and his subsequent resignation of the position.

Also, Senator Chukwuka Utazi has been named as the new Minority Whip following the elevation of Senator Aduda to the position of Minority Leader.

The appointments were contained in two separate letters signed by the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Samuel Anyanwu, and read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, on Tuesday.

Senator Abaribe (Abia South), last week, formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and his resignation as Senate Minority Leader.