The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost a total of 39 federal lawmakers—17 senators and 22 members of the House of Representatives—over the past two years due to its lingering leadership crisis.
The latest wave of defections occurred yesterday, when seven former PDP lawmakers formally joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This development coincided with a meeting of PDP founding fathers and leaders in Abuja, where they gathered to assess the party’s deteriorating fortunes.
The mass defections came less than 24 hours before the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, which is expected to focus on rebuilding the party after several of its prominent leaders defected to the opposition coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The PDP has been embroiled in internal conflicts since before the 2023 general election, with divisions between loyalists of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike.
The tussle over the positions of national chairman and national secretary, coupled with unresolved grievances, has worsened the crisis. The situation recently escalated with the exit of Atiku, former Senate President David Mark, and ex-Interior Minister Adamu Maina Waziri, who all joined the ADC coalition.
APC nears Senate supermajority
The spate of defections has strengthened the APC’s dominance in the National Assembly, particularly in the Senate, where it now holds 70 seats. With two more defections, the party will secure the 73 seats required for a two-thirds majority in the 109-member chamber.
The current Senate composition is: APC – 70, PDP – 28, Labour Party (LP) – 5, Social Democratic Party (SDP) – 2, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) – 1, and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – 1.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio confirmed the latest defections yesterday when four opposition senators—Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South)—announced their move from the PDP to the APC.
Senator Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West) has also declared his intention to leave the SDP for the APC, which would raise the ruling party’s tally to 71 once formalised. Meanwhile, two Senate seats—Anambra South and Edo Central—remain vacant, both previously held by APC members.
The PDP, which started the 10th Senate in June 2023 with 45 senators, has been reduced to 28 seats. Other opposition parties have also suffered losses, with the Labour Party dropping from 8 to 5 senators and the NNPP reduced to just one seat. APGA still retains its lone seat in Abia South, although speculation persists about Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s rumoured move to the ADC.
House of Representatives defections
In the House of Representatives, prominent PDP members who have defected include Hon. Chris Nkwonta (Abia), Hon. Suleiman Abubakar Gumi (Zamfara), Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu (Delta), Hon. Oluwole Oke (Osun), Hon. Hussein Jallo (Kaduna), and Hon. Adamu Tanko (Niger).
Others from Delta State—Hon. Victor Nwokolo (Ika North East/Ika South), Hon. Julius Pondi (Burutu), Hon. Thomas Ereyitomi (Warri Federal Constituency), Hon. Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi/Patani), Hon. Ukodhiko Jonathan (Isoko Federal Constituency), and Hon. Ezechi Nnamdi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani)—have also moved to the APC.
From Akwa Ibom, six lawmakers—Hon. Idem Uyime, Hon. Esin Etim, Hon. Paul Ekpo, Hon. Uduak Odudoh, Hon. Okon Bassey, and Hon. Etteh Ikpong—dumped the PDP for the ruling party.
Yesterday, three more PDP members—Hon. Ajilesoro Taofeek Abimbola and Hon. Omirin Olusanya (Osun State), and Hon. Marcus Onobu (Edo State)—formally announced their defections to the APC via letters read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary.
Akwa Ibom defections shake PDP stronghold
The defection of Senators Aniekan Bassey and Ekong Sampson from Akwa Ibom, both citing unresolved crises within the PDP, is considered a major setback for the party in a state once regarded as a PDP stronghold.
In his resignation letter, Senator Bassey referenced Sections 40 and 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, stating his decision was “deeply considered but imperative” due to the political realities in Akwa Ibom. Senator Sampson echoed similar sentiments, describing his move as part of a “larger political realignment” in the state.
“Politics is a game of interest and circumstances,” Sampson wrote. “In Akwa Ibom, 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.”
Senate President Akpabio, a former Akwa Ibom governor and a key APC leader, welcomed the defectors warmly:
“Senator Aneka Abbasi has now joined the APC. I welcome him with open arms… She has depleted the rank and file of the left-hand side to populate the right-hand side.”
APC Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also hinted at more defections, stating:
“I sincerely welcome our colleagues to the All Progressives Congress. This cannot be the end—more are coming.”
Minority Leader demands vacant seats
Reacting to the latest defections, House Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda called on Speaker Abbas to declare the defectors’ seats vacant, citing constitutional provisions. The Speaker, however, noted his point of order without taking action.
APC National Secretary, Senator Suraj Ajibola, who hails from Osun State, was present in the House to witness the defection of the three PDP lawmakers.
PDP leaders vow to recover
Meanwhile, at the Consultative Conference of PDP Founding Fathers and Stakeholders in Abuja, themed “Reclaiming Our Legacy, Renewing Our Collective Vision,” party leaders admitted that the ongoing crisis is self-inflicted but pledged to rebuild.
The conference, which preceded today’s NEC meeting, is expected to deliberate on preparations for the party’s national convention later this year and address grievances from recent state congresses.
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