Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — In a development that signals a deepening political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections, two senators from Rivers State who have been widely recognised as loyal to former Governor and current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday. The move, announced during plenary in the nation’s capital, reflects broader fractures within Nigeria’s main opposition party and an ongoing consolidation of power by the APC at the federal level.
The defections occurred in the presence of an APC delegation that included senior party officials and lawmakers, underscoring the ruling party’s determination to broadcast its expanding influence across Nigeria’s political landscape. According to official disclosures made at the Senate session, the two Rivers senators cited persistent internal crises within the PDP and a desire to better align with the federal government’s agenda as primary reasons for their decision to cross the aisle.
In his remarks to colleagues at the Senate, one of the defecting lawmakers said his decision was rooted in a series of consultations with constituents across his senatorial district, whom he said expressed frustration with persistent political instability and urged greater alignment with the party in power to facilitate development. “Political parties are channels for the exploration of political interests,” he said, emphasising that his loyalty was to his people rather than any particular party. “However, recent events have revealed the importance of aligning with the centre and the political will to transform the fortunes of my people with structures that can facilitate good governance.”
The defections are part of a wave of political shifts that have swept through Rivers State in recent weeks and months. Earlier in December, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who succeeded Wike after a protracted political contest, also defected from the PDP to the APC, signalling a significant power shift in the oil‑rich South‑South state. In the days following the governor’s own party switch, several members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and federal representatives made similar moves, citing crises within the PDP’s state and national structures.
Political analysts interpret these defections as both a symptom and a driver of the ongoing fragmentation within the PDP, particularly between factions aligned with Wike and those aligned with other prominent party figures. The tensions have often played out in public, exacerbating divisions that critics say have weakened the opposition’s cohesion and electoral viability.
The Senate floor announcements have significant implications for the composition and balance of power in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber. With the addition of the two Rivers senators to its ranks, the APC has further solidified its majority in the Senate, reinforcing a legislative dominance that supports President Bola Tinubu’s policy agenda. Prior to these defections, the APC already held a commanding position in the Senate, and recent gains have amplified its capacity to drive key legislative priorities without sustained resistance.
For the PDP, the loss of these lawmakers — particularly those linked to a high‑profile political figure like Wike — represents a strategic setback as the party prepares for crucial elections in less than two years. Rivers State, traditionally a PDP stronghold, has in recent years become a contested political theatre, with internal factionalism undermining party unity and opening opportunities for rivals to make inroads. The defections have prompted urgent discussions within the PDP about the need for reconciliation, organisational restructuring, and renewed grassroots engagement to prevent further erosion of support.
Party officials from the PDP have refrained from detailed public comment on the defections, instead reiterating broader concerns about political instability, electoral engineering, and the need for the opposition to remain resilient. Sources close to the party’s leadership suggest that efforts are underway to engage disaffected members and resolve disputes that have contributed to the recent exodus of lawmakers.
Observers note that defections on the Senate floor have become increasingly common in Nigeria’s fluid political environment, especially in the run‑up to general elections. While supporters of such moves argue that they reflect the democratic right of elected representatives to respond to the will of their constituents, critics warn that frequent party switching can undermine the ideological clarity of political platforms and erode voter trust. Constitutional provisions governing defections and the loss of legislative seats have been the subject of legal interpretation and political debate, with stakeholders often contesting whether defectors should forfeit their mandates.
The Rivers defections also come against a backdrop of growing concern about internal democracy within political parties in Nigeria. Both major parties — the ruling APC and the opposition PDP — have faced criticism from civil society groups for processes perceived as opaque or dominated by elite interests. In the case of Rivers State, longstanding rivalries, especially between figures such as Wike and Fubara, have intensified these criticisms and contributed to shifting allegiances among the political class.
Political analysts suggest that the ongoing realignment may have lasting effects on electoral outcomes, governance dynamics, and party structures beyond Rivers State. As opposition parties grapple with fragmentation, ruling party consolidation could reshape legislative priorities and influence the formulation of policy on national issues, including economic reform, security, and social welfare programmes.
With the general elections approaching, both the APC and the PDP are expected to intensify outreach and mobilisation efforts across the country. For the APC, recent defections inject momentum and are likely to be leveraged as evidence of broadening national support. For the PDP, reversing the trend of high‑profile departures will be critical to maintaining relevance and challenging the ruling party’s dominance.
As the Senate continues its legislative session, the political landscape remains dynamic, with stakeholders from across the spectrum closely watching how these defections will influence Nigeria’s evolving democratic process.
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