Politics
Two Rivers senators, six Reps dump PDP for APC
APC strength rises in Senate, House
The political landscape in Rivers State took a fresh turn on Tuesday as two senators and six members of the House of Representatives defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The senators are Allwell Onyesoh, who represents Rivers East Senatorial District, and Barinada Mpigi of Rivers South-East.
Also defecting were six members of the House of Representatives from Rivers State, who announced their decision separately at the Green Chamber, citing similar reasons of internal disarray within the PDP.
The defections in the Senate were formally announced during plenary after the upper chamber suspended its rules to allow the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and other party leaders into the chamber to witness the development.
Both senators, widely regarded as loyalists of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, said their decision was informed by persistent and unresolved internal divisions within the PDP.
With the latest defections, the APC further consolidated its dominance in the Senate, raising its numerical strength to 78 senators and securing a comfortable majority in the chamber.
The lawmakers’ exit from the PDP adds to the swelling number of political heavyweights aligning with the ruling party amid ongoing political realignments in Rivers State.
Observers note that the development followed recent political moves by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who has reportedly strengthened ties with the APC, signalling a possible recalibration of political forces in the oil-producing state.
Despite criticisms trailing the wave of defections and fears that Nigeria could slide into a one-party state, the Senate leadership maintained that the country’s democracy remains vibrant.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele dismissed the concerns, insisting that the growing number of lawmakers joining the APC would not weaken democratic pluralism.
According to him, the ruling party remains a responsible stakeholder in the nation’s democratic process and is committed to collaborating with minority parties in the interest of national development.
Bamidele added that the APC was focused on ensuring that democratic governance delivers tangible benefits to Nigerians, particularly in areas such as food security and healthcare delivery.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the influx of lawmakers into the APC placed a greater responsibility on the party to uphold internal democracy.
Akpabio assured that all members of the party would be treated fairly and given equal opportunities to participate and grow, stressing that justice and inclusiveness were essential for national cohesion.
He expressed sympathy for the opposition parties and urged them to urgently address their internal challenges to remain competitive within Nigeria’s democratic system.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State has called on Governor Seyi Makinde to resign immediately, alleging that his recent remarks on state security exposed incompetence and an inability to lead.
Governor Makinde, speaking during his acceptance speech as the Presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) in Ibadan on Saturday, lamented that he could do little to rescue abducted school children and residents in Oriire Local Government Area due to all security structures being under federal control.
Reacting, APC State Publicity Secretary, Olawale Sadare, described the governor’s comments as “the height of cluelessness, insincerity, and criminal ineptitude,” warning that such disclosures reflect a dangerous trend among parochial leaders.
Sadare said, “Engr. Seyi Makinde could not find any fault in the nation’s Constitution, yet he swore twice to protect lives and properties of Oyo people. He has long enjoyed the powers of his office, controlling resources and people without challenge, but now faces a serious test, exposing incompetence, cluelessness, and ego.”
He added, “Instead of addressing security challenges, Makinde is exploiting the situation to push a mirage he calls a presidential ambition in 2027. His insensitive comments once again reveal hypocrisy. It is time he quit the office of the governor, having admitted he lacks the capacity to secure the state.”
The APC also recalled that previous governors, including Alhaji Lam Adesina, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, and the late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi, operated under the same constitutional provisions without similar security failures. Sadare particularly praised Ajimobi for establishing a Security Trust Fund to ensure funding and stakeholder involvement in security, in contrast to the current administration.
“Makinde’s presidential ambition is dead on arrival. Our concern is the continued loss, deprivation, and mismanagement the people of Oyo may suffer in the remaining year of his tenure. The state deserves a team player, a sincere and humble governor — qualities Makinde has failed to demonstrate in seven years. He should apologise and step down,” Sadare concluded.
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Saturday emerged as the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) for the 2027 general election following the conclusion of the party’s presidential nomination process.
Makinde emerged through consensus and affirmation by party delegates during the exercise, in what party leaders described as a demonstration of unity and confidence in his leadership ahead of the next general elections.
The governor was presented with his Certificate of Return by the National Chairman of the APM, Alhaji Yusuf Dantali, during a ceremony held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, amid cheers from party faithful, delegates and supporters drawn from different parts of the country.
Speaking during the presentation, Dantali said Makinde possesses the leadership qualities, administrative experience and vision required to steer the country towards sustainable growth and national development.
He urged party members across the federation to close ranks and intensify grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory for the party in the 2027 presidential election.
The APM national chairman maintained that the party remained committed to presenting Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative capable of addressing the country’s economic, security and governance challenges.
According to him, the emergence of Makinde as the party’s flag bearer marked the beginning of a new political movement aimed at restoring hope and strengthening democratic governance in the country.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Makinde expressed appreciation to the leadership of the party and delegates for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to work with stakeholders across political, ethnic and religious divides to advance the party’s vision for national transformation.
The governor assured party supporters of his commitment to inclusive leadership, promising to prioritise policies that would improve economic prosperity, strengthen institutions and enhance the welfare of Nigerians if elected.
Five key members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State have been appointed to the party’s campaign committee for the 2026 governorship re-election of Governor Abiodun Oyebanji in Ekiti State.
The Oyo APC leaders on the list include the party’s governorship candidate, Sharafadeen Abiodun Alli, former Senate leader Teslim Folarin, Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare, Zacch Adedeji, and Remi Oseni.
The list, signed by the party’s National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Basiru, reflects the APC’s strategy of deploying experienced political figures with strong grassroots networks to ensure a successful re-election campaign in Ekiti.
“These appointments recognise their political experience and commitment to advancing the party’s agenda,” the source within the party said.
The APC committee is expected to coordinate campaign activities, voter engagement, and messaging, positioning the party for a strong showing in the 2026 governorship election.
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