Enugu Senator Joins APC, Strengthens Ruling Party’s Grip on Senate
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has further consolidated its dominance in the Senate following the defection of Kelvin Chukwu, Senator representing Enugu East Senatorial District, from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced Chukwu’s defection during Wednesday’s plenary session, raising the APC’s strength in the upper chamber to 73 senators — a clear two-thirds majority.
Chukwu, who succeeded his late brother, Oyibo Chukwu, after the 2023 general election, attributed his decision to leave the LP to the protracted leadership crisis in the party.
He stated, “The protracted crisis rocking the LP, which has led to its fractionalisation, is a development that is seriously affecting its members.”
With his departure, the Labour Party’s representation in the 10th Senate has now dwindled to just four senators. Senator Okey Ezea (Enugu North) remains the party’s only representative from Enugu State.
Currently, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holds 28 Senate seats, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have one senator each. The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) retains two.
Chukwu’s defection adds to the growing wave of opposition lawmakers decamping to the ruling party. In recent months, four PDP senators — Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East), Oluwole Olubiyi (Osun Central), Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East), and Samson Ekong (Akwa Ibom South) — also joined the APC, citing internal crises in their party.
Bassey had specifically invoked Sections 40 and 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution to justify his defection.
Political observers warn that this steady shift toward APC dominance may further tilt the balance of power in the National Assembly, raising concerns over the weakening of opposition oversight.
