Nine senators on Thursday defected from their respective political parties to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), marking one of the most significant political realignments in the Nigerian Senate in recent months.
The defections were formally announced during plenary by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who read the letters submitted by the lawmakers notifying the Senate of their decision to leave their former parties.
The senators who defected are Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South), Binos Dauda Yaroe (Adamawa South), Austin Akobundu (Abia Central) and Lawal Adamu Usman (Kaduna Central), all from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Others include Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory), Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) and Tony Nwoye (Anambra North) from the Labour Party (LP), as well as Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Reading one of the letters on the floor of the chamber, Akpabio quoted Tambuwal as citing internal crisis within the PDP as the reason for his departure.
“The persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements, litigations, and divisions within the party at various levels have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my active participation and commitment as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
“The ongoing conflicts have unfortunately weakened the unity and direction that once defined the party. Please accept this letter as a formal notice of my defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the African Democratic Congress,” the letter read.
The Senate leadership also noted that the chamber would review the circumstances surrounding Abaribe’s defection, giving him one week to reconsider his position.
It comes after questions were raised over whether his claim of being removed from APGA leadership structures in September 2025 satisfies constitutional requirements for defection without risking his seat.
List of Nine Senators Who Defected To ADC
| Name | Senatorial District | Party Defecting From | Party Defecting To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aminu Waziri Tambuwal | Sokoto South | PDP | ADC |
| Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo | Nasarawa South | PDP | ADC |
| Binos Dauda Yaroe | Adamawa South | PDP | ADC |
| Austin Akobundu | Abia Central | PDP | ADC |
| Lawal Adamu Usman | Kaduna Central | PDP | ADC |
| Ireti Kingibe | FCT | Labour Party (LP) | ADC |
| Victor Umeh | Anambra Central | Labour Party (LP) | ADC |
| Tony Nwoye | Anambra North | Labour Party (LP) | ADC |
| Enyinnaya Abaribe | Abia South | APGA | ADC |
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