The red carpet was rolled out in the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday—but not for a visiting dignitary. This time, it was for four defecting senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who crossed over to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pushing the APC’s strength in the upper chamber to a commanding 70 seats.
In what felt like political pepper soup, Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Samson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South) all officially dumped the PDP during a dramatic plenary session. Their letters of resignation were read aloud by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who could hardly contain his excitement—after all, it’s not every day the “left-hand side” of the chamber loses weight so quickly.
The updated tally in the 109-member Senate now looks like this: APC 70, PDP 28, Labour Party 5, SDP 2, NNPP 1, and APGA 1. In simpler terms, the APC has more than enough political muscle to flex, especially as 2027 quietly looms on the horizon.
Political Earthquake in Akwa Ibom
The defections hit especially hard in Akwa Ibom State—a long-time PDP stronghold. With two senators from the state switching to the APC, tongues are wagging and calculators are out as analysts try to measure what this means for the opposition party in the South-South.
Senator Aniekan Bassey didn’t mince words in his resignation letter. Citing Sections 40 and 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, he said his decision was “deeply considered” and made in the “overall interest” of his constituents.
“This move became imperative due to political realities both at home and within the party. The PDP structure is, frankly, beyond repair,” Bassey said with the tone of a man washing his hands clean.
Senator Samson Ekong, also from Akwa Ibom, echoed similar sentiments but added a dash of political philosophy:
“Politics is a game of interest—and if I may add, circumstances. The earth has moved in Akwa Ibom. Key political players are now with the APC. My people expect results, and I must align where power lies,” he explained, clearly choosing strategy over sentiment.
There are also whispers that Governor Umoh Eno of Akwa Ibom has shifted his weight to the APC, setting off a domino effect in the state’s political landscape. Though yet to be confirmed by the Governor’s camp, Ekong hinted strongly at such movements in his statement.
APC’s Growing Confidence
The defections were not a quiet affair. Top APC figures, including the party’s National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, former Labour Minister Chris Ngige, and a few House of Reps members, were present to celebrate the political homecoming.
Senate President Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom and long-time APC loyalist, was visibly thrilled. In his usual charismatic tone, he joked, “Senator Aniekan Bassey has joined the APC. I welcome him with open arms. He has depleted the left-hand side to strengthen the right-hand side!”
With applause ringing out and smiles all around, the message was clear: APC is not just playing chess—it’s winning.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele summed up the mood in the chamber. “I sincerely welcome our colleagues to the All Progressives Congress. But this is not the end—more are coming.”
The PDP, at the time of filing this report, had not issued a formal response to the defections. But insiders say the party is “taking stock” and may issue a counter-strategy in the coming days. For now, though, the party appears to be licking its wounds.
Defections are not new in Nigerian politics. In fact, they’re almost as common as traffic on Lagos roads. But what makes this episode significant is the scale and the strategic implications, especially in states like Akwa Ibom where the PDP has historically enjoyed deep grassroots support.
As one political analyst quipped, “In Nigeria, parties are like buses. Politicians hop on and off depending on where the bus is headed.”
So, as the APC adds more feathers to its already heavy cap, Nigerians will be watching closely—because in politics, today’s friend is tomorrow’s rival, and vice versa.
For now, APC is smiling. PDP? Not so much.
Let the games continue.
