4 PDP Senators Defected to APC, Shifting Senate Power Balance

By Ohworisi Elohor

Four senators elected under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) were formally received into the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday, following their defection from the opposition party.

The announcement was made by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, during plenary. The senators had addressed individual letters to the Senate leadership, in which they cited irreconcilable differences within the PDP as the reason behind their decision to switch allegiance.

The letters were read aloud and subsequently ordered to be documented by the Clerk of the Senate, in line with parliamentary procedure.

The senators who defected were Francis Fadahunsi representing Osun East, Oluwole Olubiyi representing Osun Central, Aniekan Bassey representing Akwa Ibom North East, and Samson Ekong representing Akwa Ibom South.

Following their defection, the composition of the 10th Senate was altered. The APC’s strength rose to 70 seats, while the PDP was left with 28. The Labour Party maintained 5 seats, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) held 1, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) retained 2, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) had 1 seat.

The occasion was witnessed by key figures in the APC, including the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige. Some members of the House of Representatives were also present in the chamber to show solidarity with the ruling party.

Further reactions and political implications were expected to follow in the coming days.

Details later…