Nwoye emerges new deputy minority whip as Ngwu defects to APC

From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja

The leadership of the Senate minority caucus has welcomed Tony Nwoye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the new Deputy Minority Whip following the move of Osita Ngwu from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This followed the announcement of the defection notice contained in a letter read on the floor by the president of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, in plenary on Wednesday.

Ngwi informed the Senate that his decision to dump the PDP was prompted by the lingering crisis in the party.

In a similar development, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, informed the Senate that a new chairman will be appointed for the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) following the resignation of Aliyu Wadada from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the APC.

The constitution requires that the chairman of PAC must be a member of an opposition party.

Wadada, in his notice of defection read by Akpabio, explained that he left the party as a result of leadership tussle which affected the unity, cohesion and ability to use the party as a vehicle to move the nation forward. He added that he was also convinced to join the APC by the performance of the governor of his state who is a member.

Wadada added that he had completed the defection process in his ward and state since August 2025.

Another senator, Anthony Yaro, also joined the APC from the PDP.

Reacting to the recent defections, Akpabio said the ruling party now has 87 members, with more of his colleagues negotiating with him to join the ruling party.

As at yesterday, the APC had 87 senators, one empty seat with the exit of Jimoh Ibrahim for ambassadorial assignment, three vacant seats caused by death, while the PDP, ADC and Accord have 18.