The All Progressives Congress (APC) has significantly increased its majority in the 10th Nigerian Senate, now holding 70 seats.
This follows the defection of four senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East), and Sampson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South).
The defecting senators cited deep internal crises, factional struggles, unresolved leadership issues, and legal battles within the PDP as reasons for their departure.
Senator Aniekan Bassey specifically expressed support for President Bola Tinubu's "Renewed Hope Agenda" and the APC's development-driven policies.
These defections have further weakened the opposition in the Senate. The PDP's representation has dropped from 36 seats at the inception of the 10th Senate in June 2023 to 28.
The Labour Party (LP) now holds 5 seats (down from 8), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has been reduced to 1 senator. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) retains 2 seats, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) holds 1.
Currently, the Senate has 107 sitting members, with two seats — Edo Central and Anambra South — remaining vacant and awaiting bye-elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The APC is now just three seats shy of achieving a two-thirds majority (73) in the Senate.