By Atoyebi Nike
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday increased its Senate membership from 66 to 70 following the defection of four senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing the ruling party closer to securing a two-thirds majority in the upper chamber.
The four defectors Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South) announced their switch to the APC in letters addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, which were read during plenary.
The lawmakers cited persistent internal crises within the PDP, including fictionalization and leadership vacuum, as their main reasons for leaving the party. Senator Fadahunsi described the PDP as a “sinking ship,” while Bassey lauded the APC’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting his admiration for the administration’s focus on inclusivity, education, and environmental sustainability.
“This decision has not been taken lightly,” Fadahunsi wrote. “The unresolved internal crisis, litigations, and lack of leadership at the national level have made it difficult for me and my constituents to remain in the PDP.”
With the defections, PDP’s strength in the Senate has now dropped from 36 to 28 since June 2023. The Labour Party’s representation has also declined from eight to five, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has been reduced to a single seat.
The current breakdown in the 10th Senate is as follows: APC -70, PDP – 28, Labour Party – 5, Social Democratic Party (SDP) – 2, NNPP – 1, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) -1, bringing the total to 107 senators.
Two seats Edo Central and Anambra South remain vacant pending bye-elections to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) next month.
The APC now requires just three more senators to secure a two-thirds majority (73 seats), positioning the party for greater legislative dominance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
