PDP Senators Defect in Blow to Opposition, APC Now Holds 68 Senate Seats

PDP Senators Defect in Blow to Opposition, APC Now Holds 68 Senate Seats

PDP Senators from Kebbi State have abandoned the opposition party and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), giving the ruling party a stronger grip on the Senate with 68 seats.

The defecting lawmakers—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—formally announced their decision during a Senate plenary. Their exit marked a serious setback for the PDP and a morale boost for the APC.

The trio made their defection official in the presence of top APC leaders, including National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris, and Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Sununu. Their declaration was met with loud applause from the Senate gallery.

Before their move, the APC had 65 senators. With their defection, the party now controls 68 seats, giving it more power to influence legislation and national policies. The PDP is now left with 30 senators, while the Labour Party has 5. Other minority parties hold the remaining 4 seats.

Although the senators did not disclose all their reasons for leaving the PDP, political insiders believe internal conflicts and a desire to align with the federal government played a big role. The defections also signal growing cracks within the PDP, especially in states like Kebbi where the APC is gaining ground.

PDP senators had been key voices in opposing controversial bills and federal policies. Their exit reduces the opposition’s ability to challenge APC’s legislative moves. This shift also affects the balance of power in Senate committees and may tip major decisions in favor of the ruling party.

The defections came after closed-door meetings between the senators and APC national leaders. In a statement, one of the senators described the APC as “a more united and focused platform for national development.”

Reactions in the Senate were mixed. APC lawmakers welcomed their new colleagues, while some PDP members looked visibly unsettled. Though the Senate President handled the transition with neutrality, it was clear that the defections had stirred political calculations across party lines.

Observers say the APC is eyeing a supermajority in the Senate, which could allow it to pass constitutional amendments and key policies with little resistance. With more lawmakers reportedly considering defection, the PDP’s influence may shrink further.

Meanwhile, in the House of Representatives, seven proposed constitutional amendment bills were rejected during a heated plenary session. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas presided over the voting session, where lawmakers blocked bills that sought to alter core sections of the 1999 Constitution.

One bill proposed to strip the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the power to register political parties. Another controversial proposal called for the presidency to rotate among Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Both were shot down by majority votes.

Also rejected were amendments seeking to create new local governments, expand judicial powers, and increase the number of federal judges. Lawmakers expressed concern over unclear frameworks and overlapping responsibilities.

A particular bill aiming to let the National Judicial Council (NJC) set salary structures for judges met stiff opposition. Critics feared it could weaken the Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission’s authority and lead to power struggles within the public service.

Speaker Abbas tried to split the vote into separate sections, hoping to save a few of the proposals. But lawmakers insisted on voting on them as a group. When the results were announced, none of the seven bills passed.

Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business said the amendments could be reviewed again in future sittings. He urged lawmakers to see constitutional reform as a national duty, not a political burden.

Civic groups and constitutional advocates have expressed disappointment over the rejection, saying it reflects the legislature’s reluctance to push bold reforms. They urged the House to reconsider the bills and work more closely with the public.

As PDP senators walk away from their party and constitutional reforms stall in the House, Nigeria’s legislative space is undergoing a quiet but powerful transformation. For now, the APC holds the upper hand, but the long-term impact of these changes is still unfolding.