KEY POINTS

• Four PDP senators defect to the APC, boosting the ruling party’s Senate majority to 72.

• APC leaders and allies attended the Senate session to witness the defections.

• The PDP’s Senate presence drops to 26 amid ongoing internal party challenges.

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday received four senators who officially defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that significantly increases the APC’s dominance in the upper legislative chamber.

The senators—Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South), Etim Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central)—announced their defections during plenary.

“We are joining the APC not only for political survival but to align with the current government’s developmental agenda,” one of the senators stated.

APC now controls 72 out of 109 Senate seats following wave of defections

With the new additions, the APC now holds 72 out of 109 seats in the 10th Senate, up from the 50 it held when the Assembly was inaugurated in June 2023. This majority gives the ruling party a stronghold on legislative decisions, committee formations, and the passage of executive bills.

To mark the occasion, the Senate relaxed its rules to accommodate high-ranking party officials who came to witness the defections. Those present included the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru; the party’s Osun State Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal; several members of the House of Representatives, and former Minister Chris Ngige.

“This is democracy at work,” said Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele. “It’s not only about growing our numbers, but ensuring our collective strength translates into meaningful governance.”

The PDP, on the other hand, continues to bleed members. The party’s Senate seats have shrunk to just 26. This reduction follows not only recent defections to the APC but earlier losses to other parties, including the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

Political analysts have noted that the momentum of defections may influence legislative debates and committee dynamics as the APC consolidates its grip on power. The party’s increased dominance may also affect the 2027 general elections, with more lawmakers expected to align with the ruling coalition to safeguard their political futures.

Meanwhile, the PDP has vowed to restructure and reinforce its internal cohesion to curtail further desertions. An internal strategy meeting is reportedly being planned by the party’s national executive to address concerns among its senators and representatives.

“Nigerians will still hold us accountable as a viable opposition,” a senior PDP official stated. “We must recover our strength and engage more meaningfully with the people.”

The developments come amid rising dissatisfaction among lawmakers over access to federal resources, internal party rifts, and a growing perception that aligning with the APC may offer better political dividends.

Observers are watching closely to see whether more senators, especially from opposition strongholds, will cross the aisle in the coming months.