The All Progressives Congress (APC) has further tightened its grip on the Senate following a new wave of defections that has increased its strength to 87 members, reshaping the balance of power in the upper chamber of Nigeria’s legislature.
The development was confirmed on Wednesday after Senator Osita Ngwu formally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling APC, a move that immediately triggered a reshuffle within the opposition caucus.
Ngwu’s defection letter, read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, cited ongoing internal crises within the PDP as the key reason for his departure.
In response to the shifting numbers, the minority caucus announced Senator Tony Nwoye of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its new Deputy Minority Whip, in an effort to stabilise its leadership structure amid the losses.
The defections formed part of a broader political realignment that has steadily weakened opposition representation in the Senate, raising concerns about reduced legislative scrutiny and the growing dominance of the ruling party.
In a related development, Akpabio also informed lawmakers that a new chairman would soon be appointed for the Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC) after Senator Aliyu Wadada left the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to join the APC.
By parliamentary convention, the PAC chairmanship is reserved for an opposition senator, meaning Wadada’s exit has created another leadership vacancy within the minority bloc.
In his resignation letter, Wadada attributed his decision to unresolved internal disputes within the SDP, which he said had undermined party cohesion and effectiveness.
He also noted that his decision was influenced by what he described as the performance of his state governor, a member of the APC.
He further disclosed that the formal processes for his defection had already been concluded at ward and state levels as early as August 2025, indicating that the move had been planned for several months.
Also joining the ruling party was Senator Anthony Yaro, who defected from the PDP, further boosting APC numbers in the chamber.
Reacting to the developments, Akpabio confirmed that the APC now holds 87 Senate seats and disclosed that additional lawmakers were reportedly in talks to join the ruling party.
He added that the current composition of the Senate reflects a growing political alignment in favour of the APC, attributing it to internal crises within opposition parties and what he described as the perceived performance of the ruling party at both federal and state levels.
