Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed a dramatic shift on Thursday as nine senators abandoned their parties to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The announcement came during plenary, where Senate President Godswill Akpabio read aloud letters from the defecting lawmakers.
The move swells ADC’s ranks in the Senate, positioning the party as a more formidable opposition bloc ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Who Defected
The defectors include five senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South), Binos Dauda Yaroe (Adamawa South), Austin Akobundu (Abia Central), and Lawal Adamu Usman (Kaduna Central).
From the Labour Party (LP), Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory), Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), and Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) also crossed over. Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) left the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to join the ADC, though his defection remains under review by Senate leadership.
Tambuwal’s Reasoning
In his letter, former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal cited deepening internal strife within the PDP as the catalyst for his departure. He lamented “persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements, litigations, and divisions” that, he argued, had eroded the party’s unity and direction.
Abaribe’s Case Under Scrutiny
The Senate has given Abaribe one week to reconsider his decision, after questions were raised about whether his removal from APGA’s leadership structures in September 2025 meets constitutional grounds for defection without forfeiting his seat.
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Chamber Composition
The defections have reshaped the Senate’s balance of power. The chamber now comprises:
- APC: 85 senators
- ADC: 9 senators
- PDP: 8 senators
- NNPP: 1 senator
- NDC: 1 senator
- APGA: 1 senator
- SDP: 1 senator
Three seats remain vacant following the deaths of Barinada Mpigi (Rivers South-East), Godiya Akwashiki (Nasarawa North), and Okey Ezea (Enugu North).
Wider Political Implications
The development marks a rare shift away from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which has been the main beneficiary of defections since President Bola Tinubu assumed office.
Opposition leaders have voiced fears that Nigeria risks sliding into a one-party dominant system, though Tinubu has dismissed such claims, insisting the country’s democracy remains pluralistic.
The ADC’s growing profile is tied to a coalition of opposition heavyweights, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, and David Mark, who adopted the party last year as a platform to challenge the APC in 2027.
Electoral Timetable Revised
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has unveiled a revised timetable for the 2027 polls following the passage of the Electoral Act 2026. Presidential and National Assembly elections are now slated for 16 January 2027, with governorship and State Assembly contests to follow on 6 February 2027.
Party primaries will run from April to May 2026, nominations must be submitted by July, and campaigns will officially commence in August 2026. The voter register is expected to be published by mid-December that year.