By Muhammad Mamman
The Senate on Wednesday welcomed four former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators to the All Progressives Congress (APC), bolstering the ruling party’s grip on the upper chamber to 72 seats in the 10th Senate, up from 50 in June 2023.
The defectors are Senators Ekong Samson (Akwa Ibom South), Etim Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central).
To mark the occasion, the Senate eased its rules to allow prominent APC figures, including National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, Osun State APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, House of Representatives members, and former Minister Chris Ngige, to attend the defection ceremony.
The PDP’s Senate representation has dwindled to 26 seats, with additional losses from the Labour Party (LP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele hailed the defections as a triumph of democratic principles.
“It’s not just about numbers. We’re committed to advancing Nigeria to the next level and won’t take this momentum for granted,” he said.
