In a significant political shift, nine senators from various parties officially announced their defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday, further reshaping the dynamics of the Nigerian Senate.
The senators who joined ADC include: Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory), Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South), Lawal Usman (Kaduna Central), Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South), Austin Akobundu (Abia Central).
The letters of defection were formally read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary session.
In his letter, Senator Tony Nwoye cited internal crises within the Labour Party as the reason for his defection, noting that ongoing litigations had undermined the cohesion and stability of the party.
“I wish to tender my resignation amid the ongoing multiple litigations within the Labour Party, which have significantly affected the cohesion and stability of the party. Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of my highest esteem and regards,” Nwoye stated in his letter.
After reading the letters, Akpabio welcomed the lawmakers to ADC but rejected claims that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) orchestrated the defections.
“Deputy Senate President and Leader of the Senate, you will notice that these defections come from three different political parties. This shows that the ruling party is not responsible for these shifts. We have senators from APGA, Labour, SDP, and now ADC,” Akpabio said.
The defections highlight ongoing realignments within the 10th Senate, where senators have frequently changed party allegiances amid internal disputes within several opposition parties.
Following the latest moves, the APC maintains a dominant majority with 87 senators, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reduced to seven members. ADC now has seven senators, strengthened by the new arrivals.
Other minority parties in the Senate include the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), each with one senator.
The Labour Party and Social Democratic Party (SDP) currently have no representation in the upper chamber following these defections, bringing the total Senate membership to 106.
This latest political maneuvering signals continued shifts in Nigeria’s legislative landscape as senators recalibrate their allegiances ahead of future political contests.
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