The Senate chamber turned lively on Wednesday as four lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party officially joined the All Progressives Congress, giving the ruling party even more control in the 10th National Assembly.
Those who defected were Senator Ekong Samson representing Akwa Ibom South, Senator Etim Bassey from Akwa Ibom North East, Senator Francis Fadahunsi from Osun East, and Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi of Osun Central.
Their defection pushed the APC’s total strength in the Senate to 72 members. This is a big jump from the 50 seats the party held when the current Assembly began in June 2023.
To mark the moment, the Senate adjusted its rules to allow top APC figures to enter the chamber. Present in the red chamber were the APC’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, the party’s Osun State Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, former minister Chris Ngige, and some members of the House of Representatives.
The main opposition PDP now has just 26 senators, following several defections that also affected the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party.
Reacting to the development, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said the defections showed that democracy was working.
“For us, it is not just about the numbers,” Bamidele said. “We have a serious job ahead to ensure that members and stakeholders remain committed to the ideals of our party. We are doing everything possible to move Nigeria to the next level, and we do not take this momentum for granted.”
