The All Progressives Congress (APC) has further consolidated its dominance in the Senate following the defection of Senator Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa West) from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
With Wadada’s return, the APC now commands 72 out of 109 seats in the upper chamber, leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 28 senators.
The Labour Party retains five, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) holds two. Both the SDP and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) now have one senator each.
Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, had quit the APC in 2022 to pursue his senatorial ambition under the SDP, where he won in the 2023 elections.
In a letter dated September 2 and addressed to the APC ward chairman in Tudun Kofa, he confirmed his return.
The letter, titled “Notification of my return to the APC”, read, “I am writing to inform you of my decision to return to our great party (the All Progressives Congress). After careful consideration, I have decided to rejoin the party to contribute to its growth, development, and success.”
Wadada’s defection follows a string of recent exits from the PDP, which has steadily lost ground in the Senate.
Only two months ago, four senators, Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Samson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South), defected to the APC, citing irreconcilable divisions within their party.
Bassey, while invoking Sections 40 and 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, wrote that his decision was “deeply considered” and “imperative.”
“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 stated.
Senator Ekong added that his move was dictated by political realities in Akwa Ibom.
“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 explained.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele described the defections as a sign of further shifts ahead.
“I sincerely welcome our colleagues to the All Progressives Congress. This cannot be the end; more are coming,” he declared.
With 72 senators now under its fold, the APC appears to have attained a formidable majority in the chamber, positioning it to wield greater legislative influence and control in the coming months.
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