PDP shrinks to 19 as senators Lau, Manu defect to APC

From Kenneth Udeh , Abuja

The political landscape in the Senate saw a significant shift yesterday as two senators, Shuaibu Isa Lau and Haruna Manu, both representing Taraba State, officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection was announced during the plenary, presided by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Senator Manu, representing Taraba Central, submitted a letter formally notifying the Senate of his decision to resign from the PDP and join the APC. In his defection letter, he cited irreconcilable internal crisis within the PDP and the developmental aspirations of his constituents as key factors for his decision. He emphasised that his move to the APC was motivated by the belief that his legislative and developmental contributions could be better advanced under the platform of the ruling party.

“I have become convinced that my continued stay in my current party and my contribution to the legislative and developmental agenda of our nation will be better advanced on the platform of the APC,” Senator Manu wrote. He requested that his defection be officially recorded in the Senate records as per the relevant parliamentary procedures.

Similarly, Senator Lau of Taraba North also announced his defection from the PDP to the APC. In his own letter, he cited the alignment of the APC’s values with his mission to serve the people of Taraba North and the nation at large. “I have come before this honourable chamber to formally inform you of my decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect,” Senator Lau wrote, adding that his decision was based on the need to serve his people and the country more effectively.

The announcement of their defections came amid ongoing political realignments in the Senate, which has seen several lawmakers shifting allegiances ahead of the 2027 elections.

With the two senators’ departure, the PDP now holds only 19 seats in the upper legislative chamber, a sharp decline from the 36 seats it once held at the beginning of the 10th National Assembly. Meanwhile, the APC’s numbers have surged to 82, solidifying its dominance in the Senate.

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, expressed dismay over the defections, describing them as a betrayal of the mandate given to the lawmakers by their constituents.

He voiced his disappointment, stating, “While my colleagues on this side of the aisle have suddenly discovered that there is a ‘progressive’ party after the election, I want to say at this juncture that I feel a bit sad.” Despite his disappointment, Senator Moro stated that he would continue to serve as the leader of the Minority Caucus, emphasising that the minority is not defined solely by numbers.

The defections of Senators Lau and Manu are part of a broader trend of political re-alignments that have swept across the Senate. Notably, Plateau North Senator, Pam Dachungyang, also joined the APC, leaving the Action Democratic Party (ADP) due to internal conflicts. In his defection letter, Senator Dachungyang cited persistent internal wrangling within the ADP, which hindered his ability to represent his constituents effectively. His defection follows extensive consultations with political stakeholders in his constituency.

These defections are part of a larger trend that has seen the APC grow from 59 seats at the start of the 10th National Assembly to an overwhelming 82 seats.

In contrast, the PDP’s numbers have dwindled significantly, leaving the party with just 19 seats in the Senate. Smaller parties, including the Labour Party, Social Democratic Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party, have seen their influence significantly diminished, with the Labour Party’s representation shrinking from 8 to 3 senators.

The mood in the Senate was buoyant following the defections, with APC senators jubilant over the party’s growing influence.

The newly defected senators were welcomed and group photos taken at the Senate podium with Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The defections mark a decisive moment in the ongoing political reconfigurations ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the APC emerging as the dominant force in the Senate.

As the dust settles, the PDP faces a dwindling presence in the Senate, raising questions about the party’s future in Nigerian politics. With defections continuing to reshape the Senate, the implications for the upcoming 2027 elections remain to be seen.