President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday, swore in two newly elected senators to fill vacant seats in the upper chamber. Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has consolidated its control of the Senate following the defection of Kelvin Chukwu (LP, Enugu East) to the ruling party.
While APC lawmakers spread the red carpet, hailing Chukwu’s move as further evidence of opposition collapse, Minority Leader, Abba Moro, reminded them that political over-population carries its own risks.
The new lawmakers, Joseph Ikpea (APC, Edo Central) and Emmanuel Nwachukwu (APGA, Anambra South), were returned winners in by-elections recently conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Ikpea takes over the seat vacated by Monday Okpebholo, now Governor of Edo, while Nwachukwu replaces the late Ifeanyi Ubah.
Acting Clerk of the Senate, Emmanuel Odo, administered the oath of office and allegiance to the two senators. Afterwards, they presented their INEC certificates of return and exchanged handshakes with Akpabio.
The Senate president announced Chukwu’s defection at yesterday’s plenary, bringing the APC’s tally in the upper chamber to 73 seats: a clear two-thirds majority.
Chukwu, who replaced his late brother, Oyibo Chukwu (assassinated ahead of the 2023 elections), attributed his defection to the lingering crisis within the Labour Party (LP). He said, “The protracted crisis rocking the LP, which led to its factionalisation, is a development that is seriously affecting its members.”
His departure leaves LP with just four senators in the 10th Senate, and Okey Ezea (Enugu North) as the only representative from Enugu. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holds 28 seats, while Social Democratic Party (SDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have one senator each. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) retains two.
Chukwu said his decision to move to APC was reached after extensive consultations with his constituents, political associates and stakeholders across various levels in Enugu.
Chukwu reportedly won the senate seat based on sympathy from the Obidient Movement in Enugu. His defection drew applause from Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who described the APC as the “popular aisle” of the chamber.
BUT Moro struck a different note, questioning Chukwu’s political legitimacy as he also reminded Akpabio of his position as the president of the Nigerian Senate and not of APC.
“My brother came here on the back of the Obidient Movement. He came here on the sympathy vote because an accident happened,” the Minority Leader said, in a scathing reference to the circumstances that produced Chukwu’s candidacy. Moro went further, issuing a stark warning to Akpabio that an “overcrowded majority” could destabilise parliamentary democracy itself.
“This house is becoming too full, and it should concern you,” Moro declared, drawing murmurs across the chamber. Smiling, Akpabio brushed aside the caution as an “emotional observation”, insisting that every senator has the constitutional right to defect if justifiable grounds exist.
