THE All Progressives Congress (APC) has tightened its grip on the Senate, securing a commanding 72 out of 109 seats, following the defection of Senator Ahmed Wadada, who represents Nasarawa West Senatorial District, from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
News Point Nigeria reports that with this latest switch, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has shrunk further to 28 senators, underscoring the party’s deepening internal crisis. The Labour Party (LP) maintains five seats, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) holds two, with the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the SDP now left with just one senator each.
Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, had left the APC in 2022 to pursue his political ambition under the SDP, where he successfully won his seat during the 2023 general elections.
However, in a letter dated September 2 and addressed to the APC chairman in his Tudun Kofa Ward, he announced his return to the ruling party.
The letter, titled “Notification of My Return to the APC”, read: “I am writing to inform you of my decision to return to our great party (the All Progressives Congress). After careful consideration, I have decided to rejoin the party to contribute to its growth, development, and success.”
His defection is the latest in a wave of high-profile exits from the PDP to the APC, further consolidating the ruling party’s dominance in the National Assembly.
Just two months ago, four PDP senators — Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Samson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South) dumped the party, citing deep divisions and irreconcilable differences.
Their resignation letters, read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, painted a picture of frustration and disillusionment within the PDP ranks.
Senator Bassey, invoking Sections 40 and 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, wrote:
“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.”
Similarly, Senator Ekong pointed to political realignments in his home state:
“Politics is a game of interest and circumstances. 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.”
Welcoming the defectors, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the defections as the beginning of a larger realignment.
“I sincerely welcome our colleagues to the All Progressives Congress. This cannot be the end — more are coming,” Bamidele declared.
With 72 senators now in its fold, the APC enjoys what analysts describe as a super majority, giving it overwhelming legislative control and the leverage to dictate the tone of key decisions, from constitutional amendments to critical policy debates.
