The defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) sparked political tension in the Senate on Wednesday, October 8, as Senate President Godswill Akpabio openly taunted opposition lawmakers, drawing a fiery response from Minority Leader Abba Moro.
Chukwu, who represents Enugu East Senatorial District, announced his decision during plenary, blaming his departure on what he called the “deep crisis” within the Labour Party.
His exit further strengthens the ruling APC’s grip on the Senate, giving it 73 seats and a decisive two-thirds majority.
Seizing the moment, Akpabio ridiculed the opposition’s shrinking numbers, saying it reflected their inability to stay united.
“I want a strong and vibrant opposition in Nigeria, but where they are not able to organise themselves and all the political parties are in tatters, then the right thing for them to do is to join me so that we can together move this country forward,” Akpabio said.
He continued, “The PDP is on the ground. The umbrella is torn. Labour Party is in tatters. Accord Party is no more. The ADC even crashed before it took off.”
Akpabio’s remarks drew murmurs across the chamber as he congratulated APC senators for “gaining a strong senatorial district in Enugu” and mockingly invited the opposition to respond.
Moro, visibly irritated, rose to defend the minority parties.
“I want to say with due respect that you are the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and I respect you, sir.
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“Without prejudice to some achievements that Mr President has made, I want to say that no matter the number that are here, we are capable of holding our own,” he said.
He went further to take a subtle jab at Chukwu’s defection.
“I want to wish my brother and friend, Kelvin, who has just left the third row here, to go to the last row there, good luck.
“When it was announced that he was going, and had made adequate consultations, I asked the question, who has he consulted? Because he didn’t talk to me,” Moro stated.
“I do know that my brother came here on the back of the Obidient Movement. He came here on a sympathy vote. But that is a story for another day.”
He concluded by expressing concern about the growing number of defections. “This house is becoming too full, and it should be of concern to you,” he warned.
Chukwu’s exit leaves the Labour Party with just four senators in the upper chamber. His defection follows a wave of recent moves by opposition lawmakers who have switched to the ruling APC, citing internal divisions.
The PDP now holds 28 seats, while the Social Democratic Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party each have one, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance retains two.
Political observers say the growing dominance of the APC in the Senate could alter legislative dynamics, reducing opposition influence and potentially reshaping debates in the months ahead.