“Opposition had 50 members, now they’re 5, and they’re prepared to join APC” – Akpabio celebrates opposition’s collapse
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced that the presence of opposition members in Nigeria’s upper legislative chamber is nearing extinction.
He said only four or five senators remain outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akpabio added that even the remaining opposition lawmakers are reportedly considering defecting to the APC.
APC’s Expanding Influence in the Senate
Speaking at the APC’s national caucus meeting in Abuja on Thursday, Akpabio highlighted the dramatic shift in the Senate’s composition since the 10th Assembly began in 2023.
“When we came in, the opposition had almost 50 members, but today, when I counted, there were about five or four left in the opposition,” Akpabio said.
“Even those five members have whispered to me that I should carry them to the President and the leader of the party that they are prepared to join the APC”, he added.
Akpabio praised the party’s growth, noting that major politicians have joined without conflict, contributing to what he called a “national consensus” around APC leadership.
Recent reports indicate the APC now holds a supermajority in the 109-member Senate, bolstered by defections from parties like the PDP and Labour Party.
Preserving a Minimal Opposition Presence
Despite celebrating the trend, Akpabio emphasized his desire for some opposition voices to remain for legislative balance.
“I don’t want to preside over a Senate with no opposition,” he stated. To avoid empty minority benches, he has allowed certain senators who aligned with the APC at the state level to continue in minority roles temporarily.
He specifically thanked Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for permitting Senator Osita Ngwu to retain his position as Minority Chief Whip.
Security Challenges Described as ‘Orchestrated’
Turning to national issues, Akpabio condemned the country’s persistent insecurity as “very serious, organised, and orchestrated.”
“We are saddened that some are tormenting Nigeria through terrorism, banditry, and insurgency,” he said, aligning the APC with grieving states and families.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for securing the recent release of over 100 abducted children and called for intensified efforts to free those still held captive. Akpabio also honored fallen military personnel for their sacrifices.
Tougher Laws Against Kidnapping
On legislation, Akpabio revealed that the Senate has advanced measures to combat crime, including a bill reclassifying kidnapping as terrorism.
If signed into law, kidnappers could face the death penalty. “Governors must enforce capital punishments decisively,” he urged, warning that leniency allows criminals to regroup and strike again.
The bill, which recently passed second reading, aims to impose the death sentence without fines or reduced terms, extending to accomplices.
APC’s Grip on State Governments
Akpabio further underscored the party’s strength, stating that APC governors now control 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states, alongside an overwhelming National Assembly majority.
“This reflects broad national acceptance,” he said, while praising the APC’s national leadership under Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje (noting recent transitions) and the progressive governors’ forum.
The caucus meeting, attended by President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and key party figures, comes amid reports of further political realignments favoring the ruling party ahead of future elections.
