Nine senators from different political parties officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The lawmakers’ letters of defection were formally read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The senators include Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South), Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Lawal Usman (Kaduna Central), Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South), Austin Akobundu (Abia Central), and Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory).
The defections stemmed largely from internal disputes and organizational challenges within several opposition parties.
Tony Nwoye specifically pointed to ongoing legal battles and internal disagreements in the Labour Party, which he said undermined unity and stability.
Senate President Akpabio welcomed the lawmakers to the ADC while dismissing suggestions that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) influenced their decision.
He emphasized that the senators came from a range of opposition parties, highlighting the broader challenges faced by those groups.
The recent defections alter the makeup of the National Assembly’s upper chamber.
The APC continues to hold a commanding majority with 87 senators, while the Peoples Democratic Party now has seven members. With the new additions, the ADC’s representation has also increased to seven senators.
Minority parties including the All Progressives Grand Alliance, New Nigeria People’s Party, and National Democratic Congress each retain a single seat.
