The Senate on Wednesday officially received four lawmakers who have defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further consolidating the APC’s dominance in the upper legislative chamber.
The defecting senators are Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South), Etim Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central).
To mark the occasion, the Senate suspended its rules to allow high-profile APC officials into the chamber, including the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru; Osun State APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal; members of the House of Representatives; and former Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige.
With these defections, the APC now holds 72 seats in the 10th Senate, up from 50 seats at the start of the Assembly in June 2023. Meanwhile, the PDP’s representation has dwindled to 26, following losses to both the APC and other parties, including the Labour Party (LP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the defections as a reflection of democratic values.
“For us, it is not just about the numbers,” Bamidele said. “We have serious work ahead to maintain unity and commitment within our party. We are focused on delivering progress and do not take this momentum for granted.”
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In a related development, three members of the House of Representatives elected under the PDP also announced their defection to the APC on Wednesday, further weakening the opposition’s influence in the lower chamber.
The lawmakers are Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro (Ife Federal Constituency, Osun), Omirin Emmanuel Olusanya (Atakunmosa/Ilesa Federal Constituency, Osun), and Markus Onobun (Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency, Edo).
Onobun, the only PDP lawmaker from Edo in the 10th Assembly, cited internal crises within the party as the reason for his exit. He said his decision followed wide consultations and was aimed at supporting the development agenda of Governor Monday Okpebholo in Edo State.
In separate letters read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary, Ajilesoro and Olusanya also attributed their defection to unresolved party conflicts. They expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda and commitment to national development.
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However, Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda protested the defections, calling on the Speaker to exercise his constitutional authority and declare the affected seats vacant.
“While these objections may sound repetitive, it is important to formally register our position,” Chinda said.
Speaker Tajudeen responded briefly, stating, “Your observation is noted.”
The APC National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola, was present at the House to officially welcome the new members into the party.