…As APC Strengthens Political Grip, Gains Two-Thirds Majority In Red Chamber
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has requested the Senate’s urgent confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), signaling a renewed push to consolidate reforms in Nigeria’s electoral administration.
The request was conveyed through a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary.
In the letter, President Tinubu urged the upper chamber to give “urgent and positive consideration” to Amupitan’s nomination to ensure a smooth leadership transition at the electoral umpire, following the expiration of the immediate past management’s tenure.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, referred the letter to the Senate Committee of the Whole for urgent legislative action.
Amupitan, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and professor of law at the University of Jos, is widely acknowledged as one of the country’s most accomplished scholars in constitutional and public law.
A former Dean of the university’s Faculty of Law, he has served as consultant to several national committees on judicial and governance reforms.
Lawmakers across party lines described him as “a technocrat of integrity, intellect, and depth,” noting that his appointment could help fortify confidence in INEC’s institutional credibility.
In a related communication, Tinubu also sought Senate approval for the appointment of Mrs. Ayo Omidiran, a former member of the House of Representatives from Osun State, as Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC).
Omidiran, who represented Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan Federal Constituency between 2011 and 2019, is known for her active advocacy for gender inclusion, sports development, and youth empowerment.
Her appointment, along with Amupitan’s, forms part of the administration’s broader strategy to reposition federal institutions for efficiency, inclusiveness, and transparency.
The President also forwarded the names of 28 other nominees for confirmation as Federal Commissioners, including Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi from Kwara State. The Senate President immediately referred the nominations to the Committee of the Whole for expedited consideration.
APC Tightens Grip as Bauchi North Senator Joins Ruling Party
Tuesday’s plenary also witnessed a significant shift in the Senate’s political landscape as Senator Kaila Dahuwa Samaila, representing Bauchi North, defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
His defection was formally announced in a letter read by Senate President Akpabio. In the letter, Senator Kaila cited “deep-seated divisions, prolonged factionalisation, and lack of strategic direction” within the PDP, particularly in Bauchi State, as reasons for his departure.
He said the decision followed extensive consultations with constituents and political stakeholders who encouraged him to align with a party “committed to discipline, good governance, and progressive leadership.”
Kaila wrote, “It has become evident that the recurring crises and lack of internal cohesion within the PDP have hindered my ability to serve effectively and in good conscience.
“I am, therefore, realigning with the APC to contribute to the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.”
Kaila praised President Tinubu’s “bold economic reforms and pragmatic leadership,” adding that his policies resonate with his vision for inclusive development.
He also commended Senate President Akpabio for his “inclusive and stabilising leadership” of the upper chamber.
APC Attains Two-Thirds Majority in Senate
With Kaila’s defection, the APC now controls 74 out of 109 Senate seats surpassing the two-thirds threshold needed to independently pass key legislative measures and constitutional amendments.
This marks the first time since 2015 that the ruling party has achieved such numerical dominance in the Red Chamber.
The PDP’s strength has now dropped to 27 senators, while the Labour Party (LP) holds four seats. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) each have two, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) retains one.
The development follows a recent defection by Senator Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party (Enugu East) to the APC, further consolidating the ruling party’s parliamentary advantage.
