On Wednesday, the Senate officially welcomed four lawmakers who switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), giving the ruling party an even firmer grip on the red chamber.
Those making the switch include Senator Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South), Senator Etim Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), Senator Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), and Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central).
To mark the occasion, the Senate suspended its usual rules to allow key APC figures into the chamber. Among them were the party’s National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, several members of the House of Representatives, and former Minister Chris Ngige—all present to witness the political shift.
With this latest wave of defections, the APC now holds 70 seats in the 10th Senate—up from 50 when the Assembly began in June 2023.
Meanwhile, the PDP has seen its numbers fall to 28, after losing members not only to the APC but also to other parties like the Labour Party (LP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele called the development a clear reflection of democracy in motion.
“This isn’t just a numbers game,” Bamidele said. “It’s a reminder of the responsibility we carry. Our focus is on unity, stability, and moving the country forward—and we’re not taking this momentum lightly.”
