ADC Surpasses PDP in Senate After Lawmaker Defections

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has emerged as the main opposition party in the Nigerian Senate, overtaking the People's Democratic Party (PDP) following the defection of nine lawmakers on Thursday. This development increased the ADC's representation in the Senate to nine senators, while the PDP's numbers dropped to six.

Among the defectors from the PDP are Dauda Yaro Lawal, Usman Ogochi, Onaw Aminu Tambuw, and Austin Akubondu, who cited leadership crises as their reason for leaving. Additionally, three senators left the Labour Party (LP), including Ireti Kingibi, Victor Umeh, and Toni Nwoye.

Eyinnaya Abaribe, a senator who previously defected from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), announced his departure from the party due to a sack in September 2025. The current Senate composition stands at 87 for the APC, 9 for the ADC, 6 for the PDP, 1 for APGA, 1 for NDC, and 1 for NNPP, with three seats vacant due to deaths.