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Political Earthquake in Senate as Nine Senators Join ADC, PDP and LP Lose Ground

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 13th, 2026.

Nigeria’s political landscape in the National Assembly witnessed a dramatic shift on Thursday as a wave of defections from opposition parties reshaped the balance of power in the Senate and the House of Representatives. The movement of lawmakers has elevated the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to a prominent position among opposition parties in the upper chamber.

At least nine senators from different political platforms formally announced their departure from their parties during plenary, with most aligning themselves with the ADC. The letters of defection were read on the floor of the Senate by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Among those who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ADC were Aminu Waziri Tambuwal representing Sokoto South, Binos Dauda Yaroe of Adamawa South, Lawal Adamu Usman of Kaduna Central, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo of Nasarawa South and Augustine Akobundu representing Abia Central.

The defections were not limited to the PDP. Senators elected under the Labour Party also switched allegiance to the ADC. They include Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) and Ireti Kingibe representing the Federal Capital Territory.

Similarly, veteran lawmaker Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South left the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the ADC, while Seriake Dickson moved from the PDP to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Another PDP senator, Lere Oyewumi, defected to the Accord Party.

According to reports by The Punch and The Nation Newspaper, the large-scale defections have significantly weakened the PDP’s presence in the Senate while strengthening the ADC’s influence among opposition lawmakers.

Constitutional Debate Over Abaribe’s Defection

The most contentious development during the plenary was the defection of Senator Abaribe from APGA, which triggered a constitutional debate among lawmakers.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin raised a point of order, arguing that the defection could violate constitutional provisions governing party switching by legislators. He cited Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that a lawmaker may lose his seat if he defects from the party that sponsored his election unless the party is experiencing internal division.

Jibrin maintained that APGA was not currently facing a national leadership crisis that could justify the defection.

Echoing the argument, Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo North, stressed that the constitution allows defections only when there is a clear division within the party that sponsored the lawmaker’s election.

However, Abaribe defended his decision, claiming that he had been expelled from APGA in September 2025. According to him, the constitution does not clearly address situations where a lawmaker leaves a party after being removed by that party.

Senate President Akpabio subsequently directed the Senate leadership to scrutinise the matter. He also gave Abaribe a one-week deadline to submit official documents proving his alleged expulsion from APGA.

The issue, according to coverage by Vanguard Newspaper and The Guardian Nigeria, could determine whether the Abia South seat remains occupied or is declared vacant.

Defections Spread to House of Representatives

The ripple effect of the political realignment also reached the House of Representatives, where 12 lawmakers from the PDP, Labour Party, New Nigeria Peoples Democratic Party (NNDP) and the Young Peoples Party (YPP) announced their defections.

Six lawmakers from the PDP moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), including representatives from Adamawa, Borno and Sokoto states. Meanwhile, five lawmakers from the Labour Party and YPP joined the ADC.

According to reports by Channels Television, the defections increased the number of APC lawmakers in the House to about 268, while the PDP’s strength declined to 49 members.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary, revealed that additional lawmakers had already notified the chamber of plans to defect in the coming days.

ADC’s Rising Influence in the Senate

With the latest wave of defections, political observers believe the ADC could soon emerge as the leading opposition platform in the Senate. Sources within the chamber suggest that Senator Abaribe is being considered for the position of Minority Leader if the party consolidates its new numbers.

The defections have also reshaped the numerical strength of parties in the Senate. Reports by The Guardian Nigeria indicate that the APC now controls about 87 seats, while the PDP’s representation has shrunk significantly.

Out of the 106-member Senate, three seats which includes Nasarawa North, Enugu North and Rivers South East remain vacant following the deaths of lawmakers who previously occupied them.

Political Implications

Analysts say the sudden realignment highlights deepening divisions within several opposition parties, particularly the PDP and Labour Party. The situation could further reshape political alliances ahead of future legislative battles and upcoming electoral cycles.

As the Senate awaits documentary evidence from Abaribe regarding his claimed expulsion from APGA, the chamber is expected to revisit the constitutional questions surrounding his defection in a subsequent sitting.