The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expanded its dominance in the 10th Senate, increasing its seats from 66 to 70 following the defection of four senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
At Wednesday’s plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read letters from Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South), formally notifying the chamber of their switch to the ruling party.
The senators blamed their decision on the deepening internal crisis within the PDP, marked by factional struggles, unresolved leadership issues, and legal battles, which they described as destabilising and counterproductive.
Senator Aniekan Bassey declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, expressing his desire to contribute to what he called the APC’s inclusive and development-driven policies. Similarly, Senator Fadahunsi said he could no longer remain in a party plagued by disunity and mistrust.
The defections further weaken the PDP’s presence in the Senate, reducing its numbers from 36 at inception in June 2023 to 28. The Labour Party now holds five seats (down from eight), while the NNPP is left with just one senator. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) retains two seats, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) holds one.
With a current total of 107 senators, two seats — Edo Central and Anambra South — remain vacant, pending upcoming bye-elections to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
APC now stands just three seats away from securing a two-thirds majority (73) in the Senate.
