A 2016 Facebook post by Senate President Godswill Akpabio declaring that defecting senators "must forfeit their seats" has resurfaced, casting harsh light on his current silence as multiple opposition lawmakers cross to the APC. The contradiction has triggered a PDP walkout and revived debates about constitutional consistency in Nigeria's legislature.
- 2016 vs 2025: As a PDP member, Akpabio called defectors "politically rascally"; now, as APC Senate President, he overlooks PDP-to-APC crossovers.
- Recent Defections: Kebbi's 3 PDP senators and Delta's Ned Nwoko joined APC without seat forfeiture, despite constitutional provisions.
- PDP's Protest: Senators staged a walkout, decrying "legislative banditry," echoing Akpabio's own 2016 tactics.
- Public Backlash: Nigerians flood social media with #AkpabioHypocrisy hashtag over the unearthed post.
Should defecting lawmakers automatically lose seats, or does party-switching reflect healthy democracy? The saga mirrors 2027 election maneuvering, with APC aggressively poaching opposition talent while PDP fights to retain relevance.
