Senator Osita Ngwu Defects to APC, PDP Numbers Shrink Further in Senate

Nigeria’s opposition ranks in the Senate have taken another hit as Osita Ngwu officially dumped the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Ngwu, who represents Enugu West Senatorial District and serves as Senate Minority Whip, formally announced his defection in a letter read during plenary on Wednesday.

The move further weakens the PDP’s presence in the Red Chamber, with the party’s number of senators now dropping to just six—an alarming decline for Nigeria’s main opposition bloc.

While Ngwu did not publicly elaborate on his reasons during the session, such defections are often linked to internal party disputes, political realignments, or strategic positioning ahead of future elections.

His exit raises fresh questions about the PDP’s internal cohesion and its ability to retain key figures at a time when the APC continues to consolidate power within the National Assembly.

For the APC, Ngwu’s defection strengthens its legislative dominance and could further tilt the balance of power in favour of the ruling party, especially in critical votes and policy decisions.

The development also signals a broader trend of shifting loyalties in Nigeria’s political landscape, where party allegiance remains fluid and often driven by evolving political interests.

With the PDP’s numbers thinning in the Senate, attention now turns to whether the party can stabilise its ranks—or risk further erosion in the months ahead.