By Peter Omopo
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has tightened its hold on the Senate following the defection of Senator Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa West) from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), pushing its membership in the upper chamber to 72.
With the new numbers, the APC commands a commanding majority in the 109-member Senate, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has shrunk to 28 seats. The Labour Party retains five senators, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has two, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and SDP now hold one seat each.
Wadada, who chairs the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, returned to the APC after initially leaving in 2022 to contest his senatorial seat under the SDP. In a letter dated September 2, 2025, and addressed to his Tudun Kofa Ward chairman, Wadada said his decision was aimed at contributing to the “growth, development, and success” of the ruling party.
His defection adds to a string of recent high-profile exits from the PDP. In July, four senators — Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Samson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South) — crossed over to the APC, citing deepening divisions within their party.
Bassey, invoking Sections 40 and 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, described his defection as a “deeply considered” decision, while Ekong said political realignments in Akwa Ibom had made the APC the rallying platform for major players.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele welcomed the wave of defections, hinting at more to come.
“This cannot be the end — more are coming,” he declared.
With 72 senators now under its banner, the APC has consolidated its dominance in the National Assembly, strengthening its ability to shape key legislative decisions and consolidate power ahead of future political contests.
