Politics
APC Senators Rise To 70 As Four PDP Lawmakers Defect
By George Mgbeleke
The number of All Progressives Congress senators in the National Assembly swelled to 70 on Wednesday following the defection of four senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to the All Progressives Congress(APC)
The senators—Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South)—formally announced their exit from the PDP during plenary.
Their resignation letters were read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who directed the Clerk of the Senate to officially record the defections.
With the latest switch, the composition of the 10th Senate now stands as follows: APC 70, PDP 28, Labour Party 5, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 1, Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2, and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) 1.
The defections were witnessed by top APC officials, including the National Secretary of the party, Senator Ajibola Basiru, former Minister of Labour and Productivity Senator Chris Ngige, and some members of the House of Representatives who were present in solidarity.
Observers believe the development is a major political upset for the PDP, particularly in Akwa Ibom State, historically considered a party stronghold. Conversely, the APC is expected to consolidate further control in the region.
In his resignation letter, Senator Aniekan Bassey invoked Sections 40 and 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution and said his defection was “deeply considered” and “imperative.”
“This decision has become imperative in view of the prevailing political developments both in my constituency and within the party structure, which has been fractured beyond redemption,” he wrote.
Bassey acknowledged the PDP for the platform it had provided but emphasised that his move was in the “overall interest” of his constituents in Akwa Ibom North East.
Reacting to the defections, Senate President Akpabio, a former Governor of Akwa Ibom and leading APC figure, dramatically welcomed Bassey.
“Senator Aniekan Abasi has now joined the APC. I welcome him with open arms. He has depleted the rank and file of the left-hand side to populate the right-hand side,” he said.
Senator Samson Ekong also defended his decision, linking it to political shifts in Akwa Ibom.
“Politics is a game of interest, and if I may add, circumstances,” he said. “In Akwa Ibom State, the earth has moved with the convergence of principal political players on the APC platform. My people have high hopes for commensurate reward systems from the APC power matrix,” he said.
Ekong further cited the defection of Akwa Ibom Governor Pastor Umoh Eno to the APC and the mass alignment of political stakeholders in the state with the ruling party as key motivators.
Welcoming the defectors, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele said, “I sincerely welcome our colleagues to the All Progressives Congress. This cannot be the end, more are coming.”
By David Owei, Bayelsa
Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.
Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.
The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.
“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.
He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.
“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
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