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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Nigerian Senate witnessed a dramatic twist in the red chamber on Thursday as nine senators abandoned their respective political parties to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defections were formally announced on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who read the letters submitted by the lawmakers notifying the chamber of their decision to leave their former political parties.
Among those who switched allegiance is former Sokoto governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, alongside Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South), Binos Dauda Yaroe (Adamawa South), Austin Akobundu (Abia Central), and Lawal Adamu Usman (Kaduna Central), all of whom left the Peoples Democratic Party.
Three other lawmakers are Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), and Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) dumped the Labour Party, while Enyinnaya Abaribe abandoned the All Progressives Grand Alliance.
All nine lawmakers are now members of the African Democratic Congress, a party increasingly being positioned by opposition leaders as a rallying platform ahead of the next presidential race.
Reading Tambuwal’s letter to the chamber, Akpabio quoted the senator as blaming deepening divisions within the PDP for his decision to quit the party.
“The persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements, litigations, and divisions within the party at various levels have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my active participation and commitment as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“The ongoing conflicts have unfortunately weakened the unity and direction that once defined the party. Please accept this letter as a formal notice of my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the African Democratic Congress.”
However, the Senate leadership said it would examine the circumstances surrounding Abaribe’s defection.
Akpabio disclosed that the Abia South senator had been given one week to reconsider his position amid questions over whether his claim of being removed from APGA leadership structures in 2025 satisfies constitutional provisions governing defection by lawmakers.
Following the political switch, the Senate’s balance of power has slightly shifted.
The ruling All Progressives Congress still maintains a commanding majority with 85 senators, while the ADC now holds nine seats. The PDP’s representation has dropped to eight senators.
Other parties represented in the chamber include the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), National Democratic Coalition (NDC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with one senator each.
Three seats remain vacant following the deaths of senators representing Rivers South-East, Nasarawa North and Enugu North.