By Our Correspondent
Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has declared that opposition presence in the National Assembly has been drastically reduced, claiming that only four or five opposition senators are left in the Senate.
Akpabio made the statement while addressing members of the All Progressives Congress at a party caucus meeting, where he highlighted what he described as the ruling party’s growing dominance in the legislature. According to him, the opposition bloc, which had a significant number of senators at the start of the 10th National Assembly, has steadily shrunk due to defections.
The Senate President said that when the current Senate was inaugurated, opposition parties controlled close to 50 seats, but that number has since fallen sharply as lawmakers continue to cross over to the APC. He added that even the few remaining opposition senators are reportedly considering joining the ruling party.
Akpabio attributed the wave of defections to what he described as the APCs increasing national appeal and internal cohesion. He urged party leaders to be welcoming to defecting lawmakers, warning against discrimination or internal divisions that could weaken the party.
The comments come amid ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with several opposition politicians across the country reportedly weighing a move to the APC. Political analysts say the trend, if it continues, could further weaken opposition influence in legislative debates and oversight.
However, critics argue that a diminished opposition could pose challenges to democratic balance, stressing the importance of a strong and vibrant opposition in holding the government accountable.
Akpabios remarks have since sparked debate across political circles, with observers watching closely to see whether further defections will formally confirm his claim of a near one party Senate.
