Mass Defection Rocks Nigeria’s Senate as Opposition Parties Falter

ABUJA, Nigeria—A wave of political realignments has reshaped Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber, as nine high-profile senators formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday.

The mass move includes former presidential aspirant and ex-Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, alongside veteran lawmaker Enyinnaya Abaribe. The defections represent a significant blow to several opposition parties, particularly the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the formal letters of resignation during a plenary session, where lawmakers cited “internal crises” and “multiple litigations” within their former parties as the primary drivers for their exit.

A Shrinking Opposition

Among those switching allegiances were:

• Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South)
• Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South)
• Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory)
• Tony Nwoye (Anambra North)

In his letter, Senator Nwoye specifically pointed to the infighting within the Labour Party, stating that ongoing legal battles had “significantly affected the cohesion and stability” of the group. As a result of the session, both the Labour Party and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) have been left with no representation in the 106-member Senate.

Ruling Party Denies Interference

The Senate President, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), was quick to dismiss suggestions that the government had orchestrated the exodus to weaken the opposition.

“You cannot accuse the ruling party of tampering with its leadership,” Mr. Akpabio told the chamber. “They’ve not been able to put their parties together. The APC cannot be blamed for this.”

The New Political Landscape

The realignments have left the Senate more lopsided than at any point since the 2023 elections:

• APC: 87 seats (Dominant majority)
• PDP: 7 seats (Significantly reduced from previous levels)
• ADC: 7 seats (Now tied as the largest minority group)
• Others: 5 seats (Shared between APGA, NNPP, and NDC)

The rise of the ADC from a fringe party to a significant bloc in the Senate underscores the fluid and often volatile nature of Nigerian politics, where lawmakers frequently jump ship to more stable or strategically advantageous platforms ahead of future electoral cycles.