Up to 10 Senators under pressure to join APC

Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may further consolidate its dominance in the Senate as fresh defections by lawmakers gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Findings indicate that between nine and ten senators are on the verge of dumping their parties, a development that could immediately raise the APC’s strength from 88 to about 98 members.

Beyond that, the party is also eyeing the four vacant Senate seats to be filled through bye-elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), with projections that its numbers could climb to as high as 102 if successful.

The vacancies arose following the deaths of Senators Okechukwu Ezea, Godiya Akwashiki and Barinada Mpigi, as well as the appointment of Jimoh Ibrahim as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

Political insiders say the APC is confident of sweeping the vacant seats, citing growing influence in key states. In Enugu, the party is reportedly relying on Governor Peter Mbah’s structure to reclaim the Labour Party seat, while in Rivers, the influence of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, is seen as a decisive factor. Ondo is considered firmly under APC control, while the party is also optimistic about retaining Jimoh Ibrahim’s seat.

The looming defections are largely driven by uncertainty within opposition ranks, particularly in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where unresolved leadership crises and pending court decisions have heightened anxiety over political futures and ticket allocations.

Sources revealed that at least four ADC senators are under pressure to switch platforms, while PDP lawmakers are also unsettled by the uncertainty surrounding the party’s internal disputes.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio is said to be coordinating some of the moves, with multiple defection letters already in his possession as negotiations continue.

Akpabio recently hinted at the scale of the planned crossover, revealing that several senators have approached him to facilitate their move to the ruling party.

“Some members have already asked me to take them to the President as they prepare to join the APC,” he said shortly after Senator Osita Ngwu announced his defection.

The shifting political landscape has significantly weakened opposition presence in the upper chamber. The PDP, which had about 36 senators at the inauguration of the 10th Assembly in 2023, now has just four members, while the Labour Party has lost all its seats.

From an initial 59 seats at inauguration, the APC has grown to 88, largely through defections. If the current projections hold, the party could achieve near-total dominance of the Senate, dramatically reshaping legislative politics ahead of 2027.

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