Nine senators on Thursday formally defected from their former political parties to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing internal crises, leadership disagreements and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
The senators—Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto), Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia), Binos Yaroe (Adamawa), Victor Umeh (Anambra), Tony Nwonye (Anambra), Lawal Usman (Kaduna), Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa), Augustine Akobundu (Abia) and Ireti Kingibe (FCT)—announced their decisions in separate letters addressed to Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
In a related development, Sen. Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, also left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The letters were read on the floor of the Senate during plenary.
In his letter, Tambuwal said his exit from the PDP was driven by the persistent internal crisis within the party, including leadership disagreements, litigations and deep divisions.
According to him, the conflicts have weakened the unity and direction that once defined the party, making it difficult for him to continue active participation in its affairs.
“Please accept this letter as a formal notice of my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the African Democratic Congress,” Tambuwal wrote.
Abaribe, on his part, said his decision to join the ADC aligned with a collective effort to strengthen and deepen Nigeria’s democratic system.
Similarly, Yaroe explained that his defection was motivated by the need to join other patriotic Nigerians in demonstrating that Nigeria remains a functioning multi-party democracy and cannot be turned into a one-party state.
However, Abaribe’s defection generated controversy during the session, as some lawmakers challenged his claim that there was a crisis in his former party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, noted that the Nigerian Constitution allows lawmakers to defect only under specific conditions, such as when there is a division within their party or when factions merge.
Barau acknowledged that PDP lawmakers could cite internal divisions within the party, but argued that no such crisis exists within APGA or the Labour Party.
“I carefully studied the letters and the reasons given by those who have defected. Those moving from the PDP may have reasons because we know there are two factions within the party—the Wike faction and the Makinde faction.
“However, there is no division in APGA and no division in the Labour Party,” he said.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele suggested that Abaribe’s letter be referred to the Legal Department of the National Assembly and external solicitors for proper advice.
“It will not be for us to go to court. Rather, we will invoke the relevant provisions of the constitution,” Bamidele stated.
Responding, Abaribe insisted that his circumstances justified the move, noting that he had been expelled from his party since September 2025.
“I haven’t been sacked from my party since September 2025, and I have the letter here,” he said.
In his ruling, Senate President Akpabio asked Abaribe to reconsider his decision and clarify his position at the next sitting of the Senate.
“I want to protect you. You have spoken twice already. The third time, you may end up saying something you do not intend to say,” Akpabio said, urging the senator to return with a definitive position.
Following the defections, the current composition of the Senate stands at: All Progressives Congress (APC) – 87 senators; African Democratic Congress (ADC) – nine; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – seven; APGA – one; NDC – one; and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) – one.
Three seats remain vacant due to the deaths of their former occupants.
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