The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has emerged as the main opposition party in the Nigerian Senate following the defection of nine serving senators from their former political parties.
The development occurred during plenary on Thursday, March 12, when the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, read letters from senators announcing their defection to the ADC.
The defections followed a period of consultations and meetings among political figures ahead of future political alignments within the Senate.
The senators who defected to the ADC include Aminu 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).
Following the defections, the ADC now has nine senators in the Senate, while the Peoples Democratic Party’s representation has reduced to six.
Other opposition parties currently represented in the Senate include the All Progressives Grand Alliance with one senator, the New Nigeria Peoples Party with one senator, the New Nigeria Democratic Congress with one senator and the Accord Party with one senator.
Meanwhile, Senator Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa West announced his movement to the New Nigeria Democratic Congress, where he serves as founder and national leader.
The Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Kamarudeen Olalere of Osun West, also announced his departure from the PDP to the Accord Party.
In his letter of defection, Tambuwal cited internal challenges within the PDP. He stated that persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements and divisions within the party made it difficult for him to continue active participation as a member.
The defections changed the numerical strength of opposition parties in the Senate, placing the ADC ahead of the PDP in terms of representation among opposition lawmakers.
