Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that the presence of opposition lawmakers in Nigeria’s Senate is rapidly diminishing, stating that only four or five senators now remain outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akpabio made the remarks on Thursday during the APC National Caucus meeting in Abuja, where he reflected on the political realignments that have taken place since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023.
According to him, the opposition initially had close to 50 senators at the start of the Assembly, but sustained defections have drastically reduced their numbers. He further claimed that even the few remaining opposition senators are considering joining the APC.
“When we came in, the opposition had almost 50 members. Today, when I counted, there were about four or five left,” Akpabio said. “Even those remaining have privately indicated that they are ready to join the APC.”
APC’s Growing Dominance in the Senate
Akpabio attributed the APC’s expanding influence in the Senate to what he described as peaceful and voluntary defections by prominent politicians from opposition parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party. These defections have reportedly given the APC a supermajority in the 109-member upper legislative chamber.
He described the development as evidence of a growing national consensus around the leadership of the APC and its governance agenda.
Call for a Balanced Legislature
Despite celebrating the ruling party’s dominance, Akpabio stressed the importance of maintaining a functional opposition for the sake of democratic balance. He noted that he does not wish to preside over a Senate devoid of opposition voices.
To preserve minimal opposition representation, Akpabio disclosed that some senators who align with the APC at the state level have been temporarily allowed to retain minority leadership positions. He specifically commended Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for permitting Senator Osita Ngwu to continue serving as Minority Chief Whip.
National Security and Legislative Action
Turning to national security concerns, Akpabio described Nigeria’s insecurity as “serious, organised, and orchestrated,” condemning acts of terrorism, banditry, and insurgency across the country. He expressed sympathy with affected communities and praised President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the release of more than 100 abducted children in recent operations.
The Senate President also revealed that the National Assembly is considering tougher legislation to address violent crimes. Among the proposals is a bill seeking to classify kidnapping as terrorism, which would make offenders liable to the death penalty if enacted into law. He urged state governors to enforce capital punishment decisively, warning that leniency emboldens criminal networks.
APC’s Control Beyond the Legislature
Akpabio further highlighted the APC’s growing influence nationwide, noting that the party now controls 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states, in addition to holding overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the National Assembly. He described this as a reflection of widespread national acceptance of the party’s leadership.
The caucus meeting was attended by President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and other senior party leaders, amid indications of continued political realignments in favour of the ruling party ahead of future elections.
Source: Gistreel.com
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