Massive Political Shake-Up: All Three Kebbi Senators Dump PDP for APC on Senate Floor

 

In a dramatic turn of events that sent ripples across Nigeria’s political landscape, all three senators representing Kebbi State officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, right on the floor of the Nigerian Senate in Abuja. This major political move has further shifted the balance of power in the upper legislative chamber, strengthening the grip of the ruling party and leaving the opposition more rattled than ever.

The three senators—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—made their defection public in a coordinated announcement that was formally acknowledged by Senate leadership. With this move, they join the growing list of high-profile PDP lawmakers who have recently abandoned the party amid what many analysts are calling an “existential crisis” within the former ruling party.

While announcing their switch, the senators did not mince words, making it clear that their decision was based on deep-rooted issues within the PDP that have made it difficult for them to continue their legislative duties under its umbrella. The move comes at a time when the PDP is struggling to maintain unity and cohesion in the face of internal battles, factionalism, and growing dissatisfaction among members nationwide.

This triple defection from Kebbi State is particularly significant because it wipes out the PDP’s Senate presence from the entire state in one swoop. Now, Kebbi is fully under the control of the APC at the Senate level—a major win for the ruling party and a demoralizing blow for the opposition.

APC Gains Momentum, PDP Slips Further

The immediate political effect of this development is a shift in the numerical strength of parties within the 10th Senate. With the addition of these three new APC senators, the ruling party now commands 68 seats out of the total 109 in the Senate. On the other hand, the PDP has seen its representation drop further, now holding only 30 seats, down from its previous 33.

Here’s how the current Senate composition stands following the defection:

• All Progressives Congress (APC): 68 seats

• Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): 30 seats

• Labour Party (LP): 5 seats

• Social Democratic Party (SDP): 2 seats

• New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP): 1 seat

• All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA): 1 seat

• Vacant Seats: 2

The two vacant Senate seats are due to different circumstances. One became vacant following the tragic death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South. The second vacancy arose after Senator Monday Okpebholo was sworn in as the Governor of Edo State, leaving his Edo Central Senate seat unoccupied.

Why This Defection Matters — Looking Ahead to 2027

This mass defection from the PDP to the APC is more than just a numbers game. It signals a broader realignment of political forces in Nigeria, especially as politicians begin to position themselves for the 2027 general elections. The APC, already the dominant party at both the federal and many state levels, is now further entrenching its control of the legislative arm. This gives the party greater leverage to push its agenda through the National Assembly with minimal resistance.

For the PDP, however, this is yet another sign of a deeper crisis that the party must urgently address if it hopes to remain a viable opposition force. The wave of defections could spark even more exits from the party in the coming months, especially if internal reforms and reconciliation efforts are not prioritized.

Political analysts believe the move by the Kebbi senators might inspire lawmakers from other states, particularly those unhappy with their political fortunes within the PDP, to follow suit. Already, rumors are swirling about possible future defections in both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

What Comes Next?

With the political terrain shifting rapidly and the countdown to 2027 well underway, all eyes will now be on both the APC and PDP as they strategize for dominance. For the ruling APC, consolidating power is the name of the game, and these recent defections are helping them achieve just that. For the PDP, however, the clock is ticking to either fix its internal fractures or risk further erosion of its political base.

One thing is certain—Nigerian politics is heating up, and NaijaRush will be here to bring you all the latest updates as they unfold.