The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday increased its strength in the 10th Senate to 70 members following the defection of four senators from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The senators—Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Samson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South)—formally announced their resignation from the PDP during plenary.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read their letters on the Senate floor and directed the Clerk of the Senate to reflect the changes in the official records.
With this development, the current composition of the Senate is as follows: APC – 70, PDP – 28, Labour Party – 5, Social Democratic Party – 2, New Nigeria Peoples Party – 1, and All Progressives Grand Alliance – 1.
Top APC officials, including Senator Ajibola Basiru, Senator Chris Ngige, and several members of the House of Representatives, were present in the gallery to witness the defections.
The defection is considered a major blow to the PDP, particularly in Akwa Ibom, a state traditionally viewed as a stronghold of the party. Political analysts believe the APC may now strengthen its grip on the region.
In his resignation letter, Senator Aniekan Bassey cited constitutional provisions and the deteriorating state of affairs in the PDP as reasons for his move.
“This decision has become imperative in view of the prevailing political developments both in my constituency and within the party structure, which has been fractured beyond redemption,” he wrote.
He, however, acknowledged the PDP for the platform it had provided him, stressing that the switch was in the “overall interest” of his constituents in Akwa Ibom North East.
Senate President Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, welcomed Bassey warmly:
“Senator Anieka Abbasi has now joined the APC. I welcome him with open arms. He has depleted the rank and file of the left-hand side to populate the right-hand side,” he said.
Senator Samson Ekong, also from Akwa Ibom, said his defection was a reflection of shifting political dynamics in the state.
“Politics is a game of interest, and if I may add, circumstances. In Akwa Ibom State, 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,” he said.
Ekong further referenced the recent defection of Governor Pastor Umoh Eno to the APC, along with other political figures in the state.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also praised the new entrants, “I sincerely welcome our colleagues to the All Progressives Congress. This cannot be the end, more are coming.”
