By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi
Abuja
Four senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, increasing the APC’s Senate membership to 70. The defecting senators are: Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East; Oluwole Olubiyi; Osun Central; Aniekan Bassey; Akwa Ibom North East; and Ekong Samson, representing Akwa Ibom South.
Their resignation letters were read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who welcomed the senators to the APC. The defection significantly alters the balance of power in the Senate, with the APC now holding a commanding plurality. The current composition of the Senate stands at:
the APC, 70 seats; the PDP, 28 seats;
the Labour Party, 5 seats; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP); 1 seat; Social Democratic Party (SDP); 2 seats; and
the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), 1 seat.
The senators cited various reasons for their defections. While Senator Aniekan Bassey mentioned the PDP’s fractured structure and prevailing political developments in his constituency., Senator Samson Ekong linked his decision to the defection of Akwa Ibom Governor Pastor Umo Eno to the APC and the mass alignment of political stakeholders in the state with the ruling party. However, Senator Francis Fadahunsi stated that his political journey necessitated realignment with lawmakers committed to impactful reforms and national transformation.
The defection is seen as a major upset for the PDP, particularly in Akwa Ibom State, historically considered a party stronghold. The APC is expected to consolidate further control in the region.
