Four PDP Senators Dump Party, Join APC Amid Growing Internal Crisis
By Erewunmi Peace
In a significant political development, four senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defections were announced during Wednesday’s Senate plenary session, where the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, read out their formal letters of defection.
The Senators Who Defected
- Senator Francis Fadahunsi – Osun East
- Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi – Osun Central
- Senator Samson Ekong – Akwa Ibom South
- Senator Etim Bassey – Akwa Ibom North-East
Each senator cited internal conflicts within the PDP as their main reason for leaving the party.
“We can no longer operate under a divided and crisis-ridden structure. The APC presents a more stable and focused platform,” a portion of one of the letters read.
Shift in Senate Power Dynamics
With the latest defections, the APC continues to consolidate its dominance in the Nigerian Senate. The ruling party now controls at least 70 out of 109 Senate seats, while the PDP’s influence continues to diminish.
This shift is expected to further strengthen APC’s legislative power ahead of the 2027 general elections.
PDP Under Pressure
The mass defection is seen as a major blow to the PDP, which has been struggling to manage internal party disputes and retain its members in both chambers of the National Assembly.
Political analysts suggest that unless the PDP addresses its ongoing leadership and structural issues, more lawmakers may jump ship in the coming months.
What’s Next?
The Senate President has acknowledged the defections and welcomed the new APC senators, urging them to continue serving their constituents without bias or political distractions.
