…Bashiru, Ngige welcome lawmakers
The number of All Progressives Congress (APC) senators in the Nigerian Senate rose from 66 to 70 on Wednesday following the defection of four senators from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This new defection has caused the main opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to dwindle to 28 as the APC approaches a two-thirds majority at the Senate.
The Labour Party (LP) has five, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have two senators and one senator, respectively.
The defections were formalised during Wednesday’s plenary after Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, read separate letters submitted by the lawmakers.
The senators are: Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East) and Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South).
Read also: PDP to defecting members: Our doors remain open
In their individual letters, the defectors cited deepening internal crises and factionalisation within the PDP as reasons for their exit, describing the party as a “sinking ship” incapable of delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians.
Aniekan Bassey wrote, “I firmly believe in the principles and values that the APC upholds, and I am eager to actively contribute to the betterment of our dear country and my constituents, and of course, the incoming victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, come 2027.
“I have been very impressed by the President’s commitment and dedication to the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasises inclusivity, environmental sustainability, education, and social welfare critical to the development of the All Progressives Congress,” he added.
Sampson Ekong, in his own letter, stated, “Politics is a game of interest and if I may add, circumstances. The current division in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), leaves me with no other option than to seek an alternative platform to continue to serve the good people of my constituency and Nigeria as a whole.”
Despite changing political allegiance, he pledged continued service to Nigeria and cooperation with his new party colleagues: “Despite the switch, I look forward to working with my party men and women in the All Progressives Congress and other well-meaning Nigerians in the pursuit of ideals that have always inspired my political journey within the bigger picture of humanity, constitutionalism, and national interest.”
He further cited the influence of key APC figures in Akwa Ibom, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and the State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, as reasons for joining the party: “The presence of the President of the Senate, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio, and my State Governor, His Excellency Pastor Umo Eno, among other influential personalities in the APC, is a watershed for the full implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda while pushing the interests of the Akwa Ibom people.
“Indeed, in Akwa Ibom, the earth has moved.”
Fadahunsi, in his resignation letter, pointed to prolonged litigations, a lack of leadership, and disunity within the PDP, “As a ranking senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I believe in the principles the APC upholds and I’m eager to contribute actively to the betterment of our dear country.
Read also: Two Osun PDP Senators join APC in dramatic defection
“I have closely followed the Renewed Hope Agenda and have been deeply impressed by its commitment to inclusivity, environmental sustainability, education, and social welfare.”
He expressed full alignment with APC’s vision under President Tinubu.
Fadeyi also shared his reasons for leaving the PDP, highlighting the party’s internal turmoil and diminishing capacity to deliver governance:
“This decision has not been taken lightly, but I feel compelled to do so due to the unresolved internal crisis, various litigations, and lack of leadership at the apex of the PDP.
“These issues have led to widespread disaffection and mistrust, making it very challenging to effectively serve my constituents. The fractured PDP can no longer provide the dividends of democracy be it in infrastructure, development, education, health, or employment”, he added.
He described the PDP as being plagued by violence, factionalism, and competing interests. “Numerous court cases have tarnished the party’s image, disrupted its mission, and fractured the umbrella. The absence of effective leadership has weakened the entire party structure.
“I am joining the progressives, the ruling party in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress.
“I am proud to represent the Central Senatorial District of Osun State under the 10th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Read also: Three Reps dump PDP for APC
In an unprecedented move, the Senate suspended its standing rules to allow the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru; Chris Ngige, former Minister and ex-Governor of Anambra State; the Osun State APC Chairman; and several members of the House of Representatives into the chamber to witness the defections.
The Senate President, visibly pleased, congratulated the defectors and welcomed the APC leaders into the chamber:
“Before you came, I read numerous letters from the opposition joining the APC. We did our best to receive them properly on behalf of the party,” Akpabio said.
With the defection of the two Osun senators and their Akwa Ibom counterparts, the PDP continues to lose ground in the Senate, while the APC consolidates its numerical dominance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Former Minister Chris Ngige and other APC chieftains later joined the defectors for a celebratory photo session within the chambers.
