Nigeria’s political realignment ahead of the 2027 elections intensified on Tuesday as two senators from Rivers State defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress. The move further weakens the opposition’s grip in the National Assembly.
The defecting lawmakers are Allwell Onyesoh, who represents Rivers East Senatorial District, and Barinada Mpigi of Rivers South-East. Their decisions were announced separately during Senate plenary, drawing attention across the chamber.
Both senators blamed deepening internal divisions within the PDP and said the crisis had made continued membership impractical. They also cited the need to work closely with the Federal Government to effectively deliver projects and governance benefits to their constituents.
Onyesoh told the Senate that his decision followed extensive consultations with political leaders and stakeholders across Rivers East. He said his loyalty was first to the people who elected him, not to a political platform. According to him, parties are only vehicles for governance, and recent developments made alignment with the centre necessary for meaningful progress.
He assured constituents that his development agenda would remain unchanged despite the switch. Onyesoh stressed that his focus on human capital development and infrastructure in Rivers East would continue regardless of party affiliation.
Mpigi anchored his defection on constitutional grounds, invoking provisions that allow lawmakers to defect when their party is plagued by division. He said the PDP had become fractured at every level, from the national structure down to wards in Rivers State.
He described the situation as a breakdown of effective party authority, arguing that it met the constitutional threshold for lawful defection. Mpigi said the persistent factional disputes had made it impossible to function as a legislator under the PDP banner.
While expressing gratitude to the PDP for providing him the platform to enter the Senate, Mpigi said the party had failed to resolve issues necessary for internal stability and effective representation.
Senior APC leaders were present in the chamber to formally receive the senators. Party officials described the defections as a strategic gain that strengthens APC influence in the South-South ahead of 2027.
With the latest exits, the APC continues to build numerical advantage in the Senate, while the PDP battles shrinking representation and worsening internal fractures in the Red Chamber.
