By John Moses
Four senators from Nigeria’s main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further consolidating the latter’s dominance in the upper legislative chamber.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the individual letters of defection during Wednesday’s plenary session, confirming the exits of Senators Francis Fadahunsi and Olubiyi Fadeyi, both representing Osun State, as well as Akon Samson and Aniekan Bassey from Akwa Ibom State.
The defections were witnessed by prominent APC figures, including the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, former Minister of Labour Chris Ngige, and some APC members from the House of Representatives, who were present in the Senate gallery.
Following the defections, the APC now commands 70 seats in the 109-member Senate. The PDP holds 28 seats, while the Labour Party controls five. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has two, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have one seat each. Two Senate seats remain vacant.
Observers say the growing number of defections could have a significant impact on the balance of power in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.
