Kelvin Chukwu defects to APC from Labour Party, giving the ruling party 73 Senate seats and a solid two-thirds majority in Nigeria’s upper chamber.
Kelvin Chukwu defects to APC — a move that has further consolidated the ruling All Progressives Congress’ (APC) dominance in Nigeria’s Senate, raising its total number of seats to 73 and securing a powerful two-thirds majority in the upper legislative chamber.
Also read: Senator Kelvin Chukwu defects to APC, slams Labour Party
The defection of Chukwu, who represents Enugu East Senatorial District, was formally announced on Wednesday by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.
Chukwu cited deepening internal crises and factionalism within the Labour Party as the main reason for his departure.
“The protracted crisis rocking the LP, which has led to its factionalisation, is seriously affecting its members,” Chukwu stated, ending weeks of speculation about his political future.
Chukwu originally entered the Senate in 2023, replacing his late brother, Oyibo Chukwu, who was tragically murdered just before the elections.
His switch to the APC now leaves the Labour Party with only four senators, with just one—Okey Ezea from Enugu North—remaining from the state.
The APC’s gain marks another blow to Nigeria’s opposition parties. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now holds 28 Senate seats, while the Social Democratic Party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party, and the All Progressives Grand Alliance collectively hold just four.
Wednesday’s announcement follows a string of recent defections, including those of Senators Francis Fadahunsi, Oluwole Olubiyi, Aniekan Bassey, and Samson Ekong—all of whom left the PDP amid growing internal divisions.
At the plenary, Akpabio capitalised on the moment to mock the opposition.
“I want a strong and vibrant opposition in Nigeria,” he said. “But where they are not able to organise themselves and all the political parties are in tatters, the right thing is to join us so we can move this country forward.”
Mocking slogans and party symbols, he added, “The PDP is on the ground, the umbrella is torn. Labour Party is in tatters. Accord Party is no more. The ADC even crashed before it took off.”
He congratulated his party colleagues for “gaining a strong senatorial district in Enugu,” prompting laughter from the chamber.
But Minority Leader Abba Moro responded with stern disapproval. “No matter the number here, we are capable of holding our own,” he declared.
“Those who are gravitating towards the majority side are exercising their rights.
But I wish my brother and friend, Kelvin, who has just left the third row for the last row, good luck.”
Moro added that Chukwu had defected without consultation, despite winning on the strength of the “Obidient Movement” and public sympathy after his brother’s killing. “That’s a story for another day,” he noted.
“This house is becoming too full, Mr President,” he remarked, “and it should be of concern to you. For the rest of us who are still here, we will try to remain until 2027.”
Kelvin Chukwu defects to APC at a time when analysts are increasingly concerned about the shrinking space for opposition politics in Nigeria’s legislature.
With the APC’s supermajority now firmly established, some warn that essential checks and balances could be weakened, reducing legislative oversight and public accountability.
Also read: Bright Ngene Enugu South Victory Hailed Amid Electoral Turmoil
For now, however, the APC appears to be tightening its hold on the Senate, with more potential defections rumoured in the coming months.
