Nine senators from various political parties on Thursday formally defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that further reshapes the political configuration of the 10th Senate.
The lawmakers include Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South), Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Lawal Usman (Kaduna Central), Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South), Austin Akobundu (Abia Central), and Ireti Kingibe (FCT).
Their letters of defection were read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Explaining his decision, Nwoye cited internal disputes within the Labour Party, noting that multiple litigations had weakened party cohesion and stability.
Reacting to the development, Akpabio said the defections cut across several opposition parties and dismissed suggestions that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) influenced the move.
According to him, the developments reflect internal challenges within opposition parties rather than interference from the ruling party.
The defections highlight ongoing political realignments in the Senate.
The APC currently retains a dominant majority with 87 senators, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now has seven members.
With the latest development, the ADC also has seven senators in the chamber, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC) have one senator each.
The latest defections raise fresh policy questions about party discipline, internal party democracy and the stability of Nigeria’s multiparty system ahead of future electoral cycles.
