On Wednesday, Senate President Godswill Akpabio took a jab at opposition senators in the upper chamber following Senator Kelvin Chukwu‘s defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During the plenary session, Chukwu announced his switch, attributing his decision to ongoing leadership disputes within the Labour Party. This defection boosted the APC’s numbers in the 10th Senate to 73, securing a commanding two-thirds majority and reinforcing the ruling party’s control over the chamber.
In response, Akpabio criticized the opposition’s internal conflicts, suggesting that their fragmentation was prompting members to join the APC ranks.
“I desire a robust and effective opposition in Nigeria,” Akpabio remarked. “However, when political parties are disorganized and fragmented, the sensible choice for their members is to unite with us to advance the nation’s progress.”
He emphasized that the APC had no intention of establishing a one-party system, highlighting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues to approve new political parties.
“I urge you to get your affairs in order,” he added. “The PDP is struggling on the ground, the umbrella is torn, the Labour Party is in disarray, the Accord Party has faded away, and the ADC collapsed before it could even gain momentum.”
Akpabio then congratulated APC senators for strengthening their presence in Enugu and invited Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro to offer a response.
Moro, in his reply, affirmed the opposition’s resilience despite recent defections.
“With all due respect, as the Senate President of Nigeria, I hold you in high regard,” Moro stated. “Regardless of our numbers, we remain capable of standing firm.”
He further explained that those defecting to the ruling party were exercising their democratic freedoms.
“I wish my colleague Kelvin, who has moved from the third row here to the last row there, all the best,” Moro said. “He was elected on the wave of the Obidient Movement, supported by a sympathy vote, but that is a discussion for another time.”
Moro also pointed out that the increasing defections to the APC should be a matter of concern for the Senate President, yet he reassured that the opposition members still in the chamber would remain united through 2027.
Chukwu’s departure further diminished the Labour Party’s Senate representation to four, leaving Senator Okey Ezea as the sole LP senator from Enugu State.
Currently, the PDP holds 28 seats, while the SDP and NNPP each have one senator, and APGA maintains two seats in the Senate.