Why Senate erupted in rowdy session as Sen. Nwoko defects from PDP to APC
The Senate on Wednesday erupted in rowdy session following the formal defection of Senator Ned Nwoko from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District at the Senate, formally notified the Senate of his defection from the PDP, the party under which he secured his seat, to the APC.
In the letter he gave Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Nwoko highlighted internal divisions within the PDP, stressing that the party had lost its strength as a major opposition force.
The letter reads, “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.”
Nwoko urged the Senate to set up a committee to investigate the internal crises within the PDP and recommend solutions to safeguard Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.
According to him, “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.”
But the PDP senators would have none of that as tension flared as Akpabio read the letter, when the PDP lawmakers objected 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.
However, Abba Moro, Minority Leader, cited Section 68 (g) of the 1999 Constitution, and insisted that Nwoko should relinquish his seat since he had abandoned the party that sponsored his election.
“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,” he said.
Senator Moro also said there was no leadership disputes in the PDP, saying the Appeal Court had ruled in favour of Sam Anyanwu as the party’s National Secretary.
Senate President Akpabio said the 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 said.
Barau Jibrin, the Deputy Senate President, also opposed Moro’s argument, maintaining that the PDP was indeed divided.
He said 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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