The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday further consolidated its dominance in the Senate following the defection of two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators from Rivers State, raising the ruling party’s strength in the 109-member chamber to 79 senators.
The defectors are Senator Allwell Onyesoh, who represents Rivers East Senatorial District and serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, and Senator Barinada Mpigi, representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
Their defection was formally announced during plenary, after the Senate suspended its rules to allow the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and other party officials into the chamber to witness the event.
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Both lawmakers, who are widely regarded as loyalists of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, cited deep-seated internal divisions, factionalisation and unresolved leadership crises within the PDP as the primary reasons for their decision.
Reacting to the development, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, described the defections as a clear indication that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is working in the best interest of Nigerians.
According to him, the growing wave of defections into the APC reflects public confidence in the President’s policies and leadership.
He dismissed fears that the development could lead to a one-party state, assuring that APC senators would continue to work harmoniously with the remaining minority lawmakers in the national interest.
“The APC remains a responsible stakeholder in Nigeria’s democracy. We will continue to collaborate with our colleagues across party lines to deliver food security, better healthcare and improved living conditions for Nigerians,” Bamidele said.
Akpabio Welcomes New Members, Says Politics Becoming ‘Sweeter’
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, while welcoming the defectors, assured them of equal rights and privileges within the ruling party.
“Anybody who enters our party enjoys equal privileges with those who have been there from the beginning. The joy of Nigerians is that politics is becoming sweeter. There is a need to join a party where your voice will be heard,” Akpabio said.
Turning to the Minority Leader, he added jokingly:
“Senator Abba Moro, I sympathise with you.”
Following the announcement, APC senators erupted in celebration, moved to congratulate the new members, and later converged at the podium for group photographs with the Senate President. Senator Ajibola Basiru also joined lawmakers in exchanging pleasantries
and celebratory moments on the Senate floor.
Minority Leader Raises Objections, Warns of Democratic Drift
He noted that Senate business had already commenced before it was abruptly halted to announce the defections.
“When there are too many people in a boat mid way in the sea, there is always the possibility of that boat capsizing,” Moro said, warning against what he described as the imminent collapse of the PDP.
He further criticised what he termed the ruling party’s self-congratulation, saying, “I find it unfortunate that the leadership of the Senate is congratulating itself and its party on what I consider a dangerous drift for Nigeria’s democracy. This is not healthy for democratic growth.”
The latest defections come on the heels of Senator Sunday Marshall Katung’s recent defection from the PDP to the APC, which had earlier raised the ruling party’s numbers to 77.
With the addition of Senators Onyesoh and Mpigi, the APC now controls 79 seats, while the PDP’s representation continues to shrink. Other parties in the Senate include the Labour Party, APGA, SDP and NNPP.
Beyond the National Assembly, the PDP has suffered multiple high-profile defections across several states, with many defectors blaming persistent internal crises and parallel leadership structures.
The development further strengthens the APC’s legislative influence and deepens concerns over the opposition’s cohesion ahead of future electoral contests.
