Disbarred Nigerian Senator in US Set to Join APC as Party Edges Towards Absolute Majority

APC Strengthens Grip on National Assembly Amid Defection Wave.

 

The ongoing wave of defections from opposition parties in the National Assembly has significantly strengthened the position of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), bringing its numbers to 68 in the Senate and 207 in the House of Representatives.

TJ News Nigeria gathered that the defections, which have affected nearly all major opposition parties, continue to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape just two years into the life of the 10th National Assembly.

 

Nigerian Senator Neda Imasuen Disbarred in US 

With disbarred Nigerian senator Neda Imasuen, who was disbarred in the United States for fraudulent activities, expected to formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday, June 12, the APC’s strength in the Senate is projected to increase to 69 members.

Speculation is also rife that the number could rise to 70 if Senator Ahmed Wadada Aliyu of Nasarawa West finalizes his anticipated return to the APC following his recent resignation from the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

Opposition Parties Struggle as Numbers Dwindle

The 10th National Assembly was inaugurated on June 13, 2023, with opposition parties holding a strong position. However, recent developments indicate a steady erosion of their strength.

Current Senate Composition:

• APC: 68 seats (soon to be 69)

• PDP: 30 seats

• LP: 5 seats

• SDP: 2 seats

• NNPP: 1 seat

• APGA: 1 seat

• Vacant: 2 seats (Edo and Anambra)

In the House of Representatives, the APC has surged to approximately 207 seats, while opposition parties have dropped to around 150 seats, from a previous total of 182.

Key Defections in the Senate

Since the inauguration of the 10th Senate, defections have been largely in favor of the APC. Notable movements include:

• Senator Ibrahim Danbaba (Sokoto South, PDP): Defected to APC in March 2024.

• Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South, YPP): Defected in October 2023 before his death.

• Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North, PDP): Joined APC in February 2025, citing PDP internal crises.

• Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi (Imo East, LP): Moved to APC in July 2024.

• Senator Kawu Sumaila (Kano South, NNPP): Defected in May 2025.

• Three Kebbi Senators (Adamu Aliero, Yahaya Abdullahi, Garba Maidoki, all PDP): Moved to APC after meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

House of Representatives: The Shift in Numbers

The APC has witnessed substantial growth in the House through high-profile defections. TJ News Nigeria reports the following significant defections:

• July 2024: Hon. Idris Salman (Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu, ADC) defected due to leadership crisis.

• October 2024: Hon. Chris Nkwonta (Abia) and Hon. Sulaiman Abubakar (Zamfara) joined APC from PDP.

• December 2024: Four LP lawmakers, including Hon. Esosa Iyawe (Edo), defected citing internal crises.

• February 2025: Hon. Amos Magaji (Kaduna) and Hon. Garba Koko (Kebbi) defected from PDP.

• March 2025:

  • Hon. Jallo Hussaini (Kaduna) and Hon. Adamu Tanko (Niger) left PDP for APC.

  • Hon. Clara Nnabuife (Anambra) defected from YPP to APGA.

• May 2025:

  • Six PDP lawmakers from Delta, led by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, joined APC.

  • Two LP lawmakers from Enugu defected to PDP.

  • NNPP lawmakers Kabiru Usman and Abdullahi Sani joined APC.

  • Hon. Oluwole Oke (Osun, PDP) defected to APC.

  • Hon. Sunday Umeha (Enugu, LP) defected to APC.

More Defections Expected from Akwa Ibom

Observers suggest that Akwa Ibom may soon contribute to the APC’s rising numbers. Following the defection of Governor Umo Eno to the APC, several federal lawmakers from the state, including two PDP senators and seven PDP House members, are expected to follow suit when the National Assembly reconvenes after recess.

Analysts React: A Symptom of Weak Political Ideology

Political experts have described the trend of defections as symptomatic of Nigeria’s weak political ideology and opportunistic politics.

Expert Views:

• Dr. Kamar Hamza (IBB University):
  “Most politicians are driven by personal gain. Parties lack ideological clarity and function more as platforms for power than for policy.”

• Dr. Ibrahim Yahaya (Al-Hikmah University):
  “Politics has been monetized. Public office is seen as an investment with expected returns, and poverty enables this manipulation.”

• Barr. Manzuma Issa (Former NBA Chairman, Ilọrin):
  “The constitution clearly states defectors should lose their seats unless there’s a division in the party, yet enforcement is absent. This lack of accountability breeds impunity.”

Many legal analysts argue that Supreme Court pronouncements on defections, like rulings on local government autonomy, remain largely unenforced in Nigeria.

Future Implications for Nigerian Politics

TJ News Nigeria reports that the rising dominance of the APC could have far-reaching implications for governance and the political balance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As defections continue, analysts fear the erosion of democratic accountability, and the continued personalization of party politics may hinder genuine political reform.

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