The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Thursday consolidated its dominance in the 10th Senate with the defection of Senator Friday Konbowei from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party.
Konbowei, who represents Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, formally announced his defection in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during plenary before the close of the day’s session.
In the letter, the former PDP lawmaker cited “intractable crises bedeviling the Peoples Democratic Party” as the reason for his departure, noting that he could no longer remain in a party riddled with leadership disputes and internal divisions.
His defection marks another political victory for the APC, which has seen a steady stream of lawmakers cross over from opposition ranks in recent weeks, bolstering its control of the National Assembly.
With Konbowei’s move, the APC now holds a commanding 74 seats, giving it a solid two-thirds majority in the Senate.
The PDP’s tally has dropped to 27 seats, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) each have one senator, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) retains two.
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Political observers view the defection as a significant blow to the PDP, particularly in the South-South region, long regarded as one of its bastions of support.
The development also underscores a broader realignment of political forces as Nigeria edges closer to the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, the APC leadership has welcomed Konbowei into its fold, describing his decision as “a testament to the growing confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership and the renewed hope agenda.”