The All Progressives Congress (APC) has further strengthened its grip on the Nigerian Senate as four senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officially announced their defection, increasing the APC’s representation in the upper legislative chamber to 70.
The announcement was made during Tuesday’s plenary session, presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The defecting lawmakers cited divisions within the PDP and a need to align with the “progressive vision” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration as key reasons for their switch.
In separate letters read on the Senate floor, the senators expressed appreciation to their former party but affirmed their resolve to join the ruling APC to “better serve their constituents and contribute meaningfully to national development.”
Senate President Akpabio welcomed the new APC senators, stating, “This development signals a broadening of the mandate Nigerians gave us and a commitment to unity and shared goals. The Senate remains committed to delivering on its legislative duties regardless of party affiliations.”
With this defection, the APC now holds a commanding majority of 70 seats in the 109-member Senate, potentially paving the way for smoother passage of key executive bills and legislative initiatives from the ruling party.
Reactions from political analysts suggest this could significantly alter the dynamics of upcoming legislative debates, committee leadership, and national policymaking.
Meanwhile, the PDP has yet to release an official statement on the defections, though party insiders have described the development as “unfortunate but not unexpected.”