The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has significantly strengthened its dominance in the Senate, achieving a crucial two-thirds majority, following the defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East) from the Labour Party (LP).
The defection was announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Wednesday’s plenary after he read a letter addressed to the upper legislative chamber by Senator Chukwu.
Citing Party Crisis
Senator Chukwu attributed his decision to leave the Labour Party to the ongoing internal strife that has plagued the opposition platform, stating that the disorganization made it impossible for him to effectively represent his constituents.
In his official communication, Chukwu noted: “Recent developments in the Labour Party at both the state and national levels have made it difficult for me to represent my constituents under its banner. After careful reflections, I am convinced that the APC under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu provides a more inclusive platform for the nation. I remain committed to serving the people of Enugu East.”
The move increases the APC’s number of seats in the 10th Senate to 73, confirming a clear two-thirds majority required for constitutional amendments and overriding a presidential veto.
The new composition of the Senate now stands as follows:
APC – 73 seats, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – 28, Labour Party (LP) – 4, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – 2, Social Democratic Party (SDP) – 1, New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) – 1
The defection marks the latest in a series of cross-carpeting events that have continued to reshape the political landscape of the National Assembly, solidifying the ruling party’s control over both legislative chambers.
