PDP in earthquake crisis as Senator Ned Nwoko Defects to APC

The Nigerian Senate witnessed a dramatic political shift yesterday as Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, formally resigned from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). His defection, announced through a letter read on the Senate floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, has intensified debates over the stability of the PDP and its role in Nigeria’s democracy.

In his letter, Ned Nwoko attributed his departure to the persistent internal crises plaguing the PDP. He lamented the party’s dwindling influence, highlighting its internal divisions, lack of clear leadership, and failure to function as an effective opposition. According to him, the PDP’s inability to resolve its conflicts threatens Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, potentially leading to a one-party state. He urged the Senate to intervene by setting up an ad hoc committee to investigate the party’s crisis and recommend solutions to safeguard democratic governance.

APC Gains Strength as PDP’s Senate Numbers Dwindle

Ned Nwoko’s defection has further tilted the balance of power in the Senate in favor of the APC. With his move, the ruling party now commands 64 seats, while the PDP has been reduced to 33. Other parties in the Senate include the Labour Party (LP) with five senators, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) with two senators each, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with one senator.

This shift in numbers raises concerns about the PDP’s diminishing influence in the legislature. Analysts warn that continued defections could further weaken opposition oversight, potentially allowing the APC to consolidate unchecked power. Ned Nwoko’s plea for an ad hoc committee to probe the PDP’s internal issues underscores fears that the party may be on the verge of collapse if immediate reforms are not implemented.

Senate Minority Leader Rejects Ned Nwoko’s Justification

Following the reading of Nwoko’s defection letter, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro of the PDP vehemently opposed his reasons for leaving the party. Citing Section 68 (g) of the 1999 Constitution, Moro argued that Ned Nwoko’s defection was unconstitutional because the PDP was not factionalized. He asserted that the party still operates under a unified National Working Committee (NWC) and Board of Trustees (BOT), thereby invalidating Ned Nwoko’s claim of internal divisions.

Moro’s stance reflects the PDP’s broader strategy to contain further defections and project an image of stability. However, his argument was quickly challenged by APC senators, who pointed to well-documented internal struggles within the PDP. They emphasized the existence of two dominant factions—one led by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike and another by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed—suggesting that the party is far from united.

APC Senators Applaud Ned Nwoko Defection, Predict More Exits from PDP

Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele of the APC countered Moro’s argument, asserting that the PDP’s internal conflicts were widely known. They claimed that Ned Nwoko’s defection was in line with constitutional provisions that allow lawmakers to switch parties if their original party is divided into factions.

Senate President Akpabio described Ned Nwoko’s departure as a political earthquake, predicting that more PDP senators would soon follow suit. He noted that Ned Nwoko’s request for an ad hoc committee to probe the PDP’s crisis was valid but suggested that the Senate would not immediately take action on the matter. This statement suggests that the APC may prefer to let the PDP’s internal troubles fester rather than intervene.

With the PDP’s numbers shrinking in the Senate and its leadership struggles deepening, the party faces an uphill battle to maintain relevance ahead of the 2027 general elections. Whether it can regroup and present a formidable opposition remains uncertain, but for now, its credibility continues to wane on the national stage.