A past statement made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio is drawing intense scrutiny as a wave of defections rocks the Nigerian Senate, igniting debates about constitutional consistency and political integrity.
The statement, dated November 2016, resurfaced online this week and has gone viral amid growing criticism over Akpabio’s current stance on defections. At the time, Akpabio, then a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemned the defection of a fellow senator and insisted that lawmakers must forfeit their seats if they abandon the party platform on which they were elected.
“As lawmakers, Senators must not encourage political rascality,” Akpabio posted on his official Facebook page. “The constitution is clear on this: if a Senator defects to another political party, he loses his seat.”
Now nearly a decade later, Akpabio—currently Senate President under the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—faces accusations of double standards for allegedly shielding defecting senators from constitutional consequences.
The controversy intensified after three PDP senators from Kebbi State—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—announced their defection to the APC following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu on May 9, 2025.
This follows a similar move in February by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), who also decamped to the APC.
Despite the mounting defections, Akpabio has yet to declare any seats vacant, prompting backlash from opposition lawmakers and political commentators who accuse him of abandoning the very constitutional principles he once championed.
In protest, PDP senators staged a dramatic walkout during plenary, echoing the same action Akpabio led in 2016. Speaking on behalf of the protesting lawmakers, Senator Abba Moro (Benue South) stated, “We cannot stand by and watch as the sanctity of our democratic institutions is eroded by political expediency. If the Senate President once believed in protecting party mandates, he must now prove it by his actions.”
The revival of Akpabio’s old Facebook post has triggered widespread criticism on social media, with many Nigerians accusing him of hypocrisy and selective application of the law.
As the Senate grapples with internal tensions and public backlash, the unfolding drama continues to fuel debate about accountability, political loyalty, and the rule of law within Nigeria’s legislative arm.
Comments