Full List: Ten Senators Expected to Defect to New Parties in Coming Weeks

As political alignments and realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, at least ten Nigerian senators are poised to defect from their current political parties, sparking a significant shift in the composition of the Senate.

Sources within the National Assembly and across party structures confirm that both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) are set to benefit from the looming defections. The major opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) are expected to lose key members.

Among those at the forefront of the wave is Senator Ireti Kingibe (LP – Federal Capital Territory), who is reportedly finalizing plans to join the ADC. She is expected to make a formal declaration on the Senate floor soon. Kingibe, along with her colleagues Senator Victor Umeh (LP – Anambra Central) and Senator Tony Nwoye (LP – Anambra North), had earlier attended the ADC leadership takeover event in Abuja, signaling their alignment with the emerging opposition coalition.

Also preparing to return to the APC is Senator Aliyu Ahmed Wadada (SDP – Nasarawa West), Chairman of the Senate Public Accounts Committee (SPAC). Wadada, who left the APC in 2020 after being denied the party’s ticket, contested and won under the Social Democratic Party (SDP). He is now reportedly rejoining the APC to position himself for the 2027 governorship race in Nasarawa State. His planned return is already stirring tension within the APC in the state, and he is expected to relinquish his committee chairmanship once he defects, as that role is typically reserved for opposition lawmakers.

In Akwa Ibom State, two PDP senators—Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South) and Aniekan Etim Bassey (Akwa Ibom North East)—have aligned with Governor Umo Eno, who recently moved to the APC. Both senators are said to be waiting for the right moment to officially announce their defection on the Senate floor.

The PDP is also at risk of losing all three of its senators from Osun State. Senator Oluwole Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central), Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (Osun East), and Senator Kamorudeen Olalere Oyewumi (Osun West) are all reportedly considering a switch to the APC. While Fadeyi and Fadahunsi may defect soon, Oyewumi’s move is said to be delayed due to concerns about losing his current leadership role in the Senate.

The movement of these ten lawmakers could reshape the power dynamics in the Senate, where the APC already holds a strong majority with 68 of the 109 seats. If the defections proceed as expected, the ruling party will further solidify its dominance.

In addition, there is growing speculation that Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro (PDP – Benue South) may also exit the PDP. His close relationship with his political mentor, former Senate President David Mark—now interim national chairman of the ADC—has fueled talk of his potential move to the ADC.

The full list of senators expected to defect in the coming weeks includes:

1. Ireti Kingibe (LP – FCT) → ADC

2. Victor Umeh (LP – Anambra Central) → ADC

3. Tony Nwoye (LP – Anambra North) → ADC

4. Aliyu Ahmed Wadada (SDP – Nasarawa West) → APC

5. Ekong Sampson (PDP – Akwa Ibom South) → APC

6. Aniekan Etim Bassey (PDP – Akwa Ibom North East) → APC

7. Oluwole Olubiyi Fadeyi (PDP – Osun Central) → APC

8. Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi (PDP – Osun East) → APC

9. Kamorudeen Olalere Oyewumi (PDP – Osun West) → APC

10. (Potential) Abba Moro (PDP – Benue South) → ADC