Nigerian Senate: APC Numbers Swell To 70 As Four PDP Lawmakers Defect

APC Increases Senate Majority as Four PDP Senators Defect

The All Progressives Congress (APC) now commands 70 seats in Nigeria’s Senate, following the defection of four senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during Wednesday’s plenary session.

Details of the Defections

The lawmakers—Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Samson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South)—formally declared their departure from the PDP. Their resignation letters were read aloud on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who ordered the official documentation of their switch.

New Senate Composition

With these moves, the 10th Senate’s distribution has shifted:

Reactions and Implications

High-ranking APC members, including Senator Ajibola Basiru (National Secretary), former Minister Chris Ngige, and other legislators, attended the event to show support. Political analysts consider these defections a significant blow for the PDP, especially in Akwa Ibom State, an area traditionally loyal to that party. The APC is viewed as strengthening its foothold in the region.

Senator Aniekan Bassey cited constitutional grounds and internal party strife as his reasons for leaving the PDP, noting that loyalty to his constituents and the need to address critical local political shifts influenced his decision. Similarly, Senator Samson Ekong justified his action by emphasizing the realignment of influential politicians within Akwa Ibom, expressing hopes for better representation and rewards under the APC-led government.

Senate President Akpabio warmly received the defectors, expressing confidence that more senators may join the APC soon. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele echoed this optimism, indicating that the political landscape in the Senate could see further changes.