By Ebenezer Mabinuola
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has further solidified its control of the Nigerian Senate as three senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officially defected to the APC during Tuesday’s plenary session.
The defecting lawmakers—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—submitted separate letters announcing their departure from the PDP. Their defection was confirmed during the plenary presided over by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin.
Each senator cited prolonged internal crises within the PDP, unresolved legal battles, and a lack of ideological clarity as the key reasons behind their decision to switch parties.
With the defections, the APC now holds 68 of the 109 Senate seats, further entrenching its majority in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
The development follows a recent private meeting between the three lawmakers and President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa. Several senior political figures were also in attendance at the meeting, which reportedly finalized their transition to the APC.
During the Senate session, high-ranking officials of the APC, including the party’s national chairman and key government figures, were present to welcome the senators into the ruling party. The senators were later led to their new seats in the Majority section of the chamber and participated in a photo session with party dignitaries.
In their letters, the senators detailed the reasons for their defection. Aliero, a former governor of Kebbi State and ex-FCT Minister, described his move as a response to the PDP’s failure to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
“The PDP has become disconnected from the aspirations of the people. Its internal divisions and inability to offer a clear agenda have made it difficult to pursue meaningful reforms,” Aliero wrote, noting his renewed confidence in the APC’s leadership and policy direction.
Abdullahi, a former Senate Majority Leader who left the APC in 2022 over local disagreements, described his return as a “homecoming.” He confirmed that prior issues had been resolved and emphasized the importance of aligning with a party he helped to establish.
Maidoki, elected in 2023, said his defection was driven by the PDP’s lingering internal conflicts and his belief that the APC’s platform was better suited to addressing the security and development needs of his district.
The defection is the second wave of realignment within the Senate since its return from recess, following a similar move by Kano South Senator Kawu Sumaila, who also joined the APC from the NNPP citing party leadership disputes.
The current composition of the Senate stands at:
- APC – 68
- PDP – 30
- Labour Party – 5
- Social Democratic Party (SDP) – 2
- New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) – 1
- All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – 1
Two seats remain vacant due to the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and the gubernatorial election of Senator Monday Okpebholo in Edo State.
Key Senate leaders responded to concerns over the growing dominance of the APC. Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and other senior senators maintained that the defections were voluntary and reflected confidence in the current administration.
“None of these senators was coerced. Their decisions were based on conviction and a shared vision for national development,” said Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele.
Adams Oshiomhole, a serving senator and former APC national chairman, dismissed fears that the APC’s numerical advantage could harm Nigeria’s democratic balance. He argued that legislative debates often transcend party lines and reflect individual perspectives.
The defections come amid efforts by the PDP to resolve its internal challenges. The party recently appointed a reconciliation committee headed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki to address grievances and ensure party cohesion ahead of its National Executive Committee meeting later this month.
While the PDP has maintained that its presence in states like Kebbi remains strong despite the defections, the party now faces increasing pressure to prevent further erosion of its influence in the National Assembly.
The development underscores the shifting political landscape as Nigeria moves deeper into the Tinubu administration’s term, with parties manoeuvring to consolidate their positions ahead of future elections
