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From Kenneth Udeh, Abuja
A historic wave of defections swept through the Nigerian Senate on Thursday presided over by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, leaving party structures in turmoil and the balance of power in the 10th National Assembly dramatically altered.
The events unfolded during plenary before the scheduled business of the day, with nine senators crossing over to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing unresolved internal crises and leadership disputes within their former parties.
The Defections: Who Moved and Where
The senators who formally joined the ADC include:
Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe – Abia South (APGA → ADC)
Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal – Sokoto South (PDP → ADC)
Senator Binos Dauda Yaroe – Adamawa South (PDP → ADC)
Senator Lawal Usman – Sokoto North (PDP → ADC)
Senator Ogoshi Onawo – Ebonyi North (PDP → ADC)
Senator Austin Akobundu – Ebonyi Central (PDP → ADC)
Senator Victor Umeh – Anambra Central (Labour Party → ADC)
Senator Tony Nwoye – Anambra North (Labour Party → ADC)
Senator Ireti Kingibe – Federal Capital Territory (Labour Party → ADC)
In addition, Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West) formally resigned from the PDP to become the National Leader of the newly formed Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), making him the first serving senator to found and represent a political party while in office.
Also, Senator Kamorudeen Lere Oyewumi (Osun West) defected from the PDP to the Accord Party, citing alignment with a platform that reflects his constituents’ aspirations.
Remaining PDP Senators
Following these defections, the PDP is left with only 9 senators:
Senator Nyesom Wike – Rivers Rivers West
Senator Nenadi Usman – Kaduna South
Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo – Gombe North
Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro – Gombe South
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan – Kogi Central
Senator Osita Ngwu – Enugu West
Senator Abdul Ningi – Bauchi Central
Senator Khalid Ibrahim Mustapha – Kaduna North
Senator Peter Jiya – Niger South
Senate Arithmetic Post-Defections
Of the 109 Senate seats, 106 are active following the deaths of:
Senator Okey Ezea (PDP – Enugu North)
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Senator Barinada Mpigi (APC – Rivers South-East)
Senator Godiya Akwashiki (SDP – Nasarawa North)
Current party composition:
APC: 83 senators
PDP: 9 senators
ADC: 9 senators
APGA: 1 senator (Emmanuel Nwachukwu – Anambra South)
NNPP: 1 senator (Rufai Hanga – Kano Central)
SDP: 1 senator (Aliyu Wadada Ahmed – Nasarawa West)
NDC: 1 senator (Seriake Dickson – Bayelsa West)
Accord: 1 senator (Kamorudeen Lere Oyewumi – Osun West)
Explosive Exchanges on the Senate Floor
The most dramatic moment came with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s defection from APGA to ADC. Unlike other defectors, Abaribe did not cite a party division, sparking a heated constitutional debate.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin cited Section 68 of the Constitution, noting that lawmakers who defect without evidence of party division risk losing their seats.
Abaribe insisted he had been expelled from APGA in September 2025.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio gave Abaribe an ultimatum to produce documentary proof of expulsion at the next Senate sitting or risk having his seat declared vacant.
The exchange intensified when Senator Victor Umeh, former APGA National Chairman, attempted to defend Abaribe.
Umeh referenced other defections from the Labour Party, noting Senator Francis Onyewuchi also left LP for APC without constitutional challenges.
Onyewuchi countered, emphasizing he left LP amid serious crisis, unlike now, when the party’s internal dispute has been resolved by court recognition of Senator Nenadi Usman as National Chairman.
The floor erupted in loud shouting and gavel pounding as senators debated the constitutional ramifications.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele stressed that the Constitution anticipated such defections, citing Sections 65(2)(b) and 68(1)(b) regarding qualifications and party membership.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin affirmed that the Senate President’s interpretation of the Constitution and rules is final, bringing some order to the proceedings.
Statements from the Defecting Senators
Senator Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South): “The PDP, as currently constituted, has lost the focus required to provide the robust opposition and leadership that Nigeria needs at this critical time. After consultations, I have joined the ADC to offer a fresh, inclusive platform for national development.”
Senator Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South): “My constituents seek a political platform that effectively addresses their aspirations; the ADC provides such a platform, and I am eager to contribute to Nigeria’s progress.”
Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT): “My decision is predicated on the irreconcilable division within the Labour Party, which split into two factions. Section 68 of the Constitution allows this move without penalty.”
Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West): “It is now my honour to be the first Senator in Nigeria to represent a constituency and simultaneously found a party, the NDC, to promote multi-party democracy.”
APC Consolidates Dominance
With 83 seats, the APC further solidifies its overwhelming majority in the Senate. The ADC emerged as a rapidly growing opposition platform, having attracted nine senators in a single sitting, a historic expansion in Nigeria’s parliamentary history.
The PDP faces continued instability, with multiple senators reportedly preparing to leave, including: Abba Moro, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Osita Ngwu, Ibrahim Dankwambo, Anthony Siyako Yaro, Abdul Ningi, Khalid Mustapha, Mustapha Khabeeb, and Peter Jiya. Many are expected to join the APC or ADC as political realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the Senate has adjourned until March 31, with all other legislative activities, committee meetings, and oversight duties continuing.
