The Senate witnessed heated exchanges as Senator Ned Nwoko defected from the PDP to the APC, citing party divisions. While APC lawmakers celebrated, PDP senators protested, insisting he vacate his seat. Senate President Akpabio upheld the defection, further strengthening APC’s majority amid growing opposition tensions.
The Senate was thrown into chaos on Wednesday following the defection of Senator Ned Nwoko from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
During the plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Nwoko’s defection letter, in which the Delta-North senator cited internal divisions and weakening opposition as reasons for his departure. He warned that the PDP’s instability was pushing Nigeria towards a one-party system and urged an investigation into the party’s crises.
However, Nwoko’s move sparked heated reactions. While APC lawmakers cheered and celebrated his defection, PDP senators protested. Minority Leader Abba Moro insisted Nwoko had no constitutional right to retain his seat, arguing that the PDP was not officially divided. He rejected claims of multiple national secretaries, referencing a court ruling affirming Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as the party’s secretary.
Akpabio, alongside Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, countered that visible factional splits within the PDP provided legal grounds for defection. Jibrin pointed to divisions between the factions loyal to Governor Bala Mohammed and former Governor Nyesom Wike as evidence of the party’s disarray.
Despite PDP lawmakers' objections, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele maintained that the defection aligned with constitutional provisions. He accused the opposition of attempting to dissuade other lawmakers from switching allegiance.
As tensions rose, some PDP senators, seemingly resigned, began singing in protest. Akpabio ultimately upheld Nwoko’s defection, dismissing the complaints from the opposition.
