There was a heated exchange in the Senate on Wednesday following the defection of Senator Ned Nwoko from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Representing the Delta North Senatorial District, Nwoko formally notified the Senate of his decision to leave the PDP, the party under which he secured his seat.
His defection letter was presented during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, Nwoko cited internal divisions within the PDP, arguing that the party had lost its strength as a major opposition force.
He expressed concern that Nigeria was veering towards a one-party system due to the dwindling effectiveness of opposition politics.
His letter read, “The PDP, which once stood as a formidable platform for democratic participation and national development, has unfortunately been engulfed in persistent crises, ranging from internal divisions to a lack of clear leadership and direction.
“If urgent steps are not taken to address this national emergency, Nigeria risks sliding into a dangerous one-party system, which history has shown to be detrimental to governance and national stability.”
The Senator urged the Senate to establish an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the internal crises within the PDP and recommend solutions to safeguard Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
“This Committee should examine the root causes of the party’s internal implosion, engage relevant stakeholders, and propose reforms that will ensure the survival of a viable opposition in Nigeria,” Nwoko stated.
However, tension flared as Akpabio read the letter, with PDP lawmakers voicing their objections while APC Senators celebrated the defection.
Nwoko who came with his mother-in-law was warmly received by APC members, who lifted his hands and walked him around the chamber in jubilation.
Read also: Ned Nwoko dumps PDP, cites ‘deep divisions’ as reason
Raising a constitutional point, Abba Moro, Minority Leader, referenced Section 68 (g) of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that Nwoko should relinquish his seat since he had abandoned the party that sponsored his election.
Moro said, “I am deeply disappointed that we have lost a member today. Efforts were made to ensure he remained with us, but he exercised his personal right to leave.
“However, there is no division within the PDP. He cannot continue to occupy the seat that belongs to our party.”
Moro also dismissed claims of leadership disputes within the PDP, asserting that the Appeal Court had ruled in favour of Sam Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.
Responding to the objections, Akpabio countered that internal conflicts within a party’s National Working Committee indicated division, thus providing legal grounds for defection.
“Senator Moro, please read the Constitutional provision again for clarity. The existence of factions within a party’s leadership signifies a crisis,” Akpabio remarked.
Barau Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President, also opposed Moro’s argument, maintaining that the PDP was indeed divided.
He referenced Section 68 (g) of the Constitution, stating that the presence of separate factions within the party justified Nwoko’s defection.
“The reality is that the PDP is currently split between the Wike faction and the Bala Mohammed faction. Anyone can see that,” Jibrin argued.
As tensions escalated, Abdul Ningi (PDP Senator, Bauchi Central) broke into a song mocking the defection, chanting, “Carry am go, carry am go!”
Opeyemi Bamidele, the Senate Leader, further defended Nwoko’s decision, emphasising that lawmakers had the Constitutional rights to switch parties under specific conditions.
“The Constitution is clear about defection. When a party is sharply divided, lawmakers can switch affiliations,” Bamidele asserted.
“What we are witnessing now is merely an attempt to discourage other opposition members from crossing over to the APC”, he added.
Eventually, Akpabio upheld Nwoko’s defection, dismissing the objections raised by PDP senators.
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