Akwa Ibom senators defection shakes Senate as Sampson Ekong and Aniekan Bassey dump PDP for APC, citing party crisis ahead of 2027 political realignment
The wave of defections troubling the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has struck the Senate again, this time with two lawmakers from Akwa Ibom State switching allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also read:Â Akwa Ibom Oil Wells Ownership Settled as Supreme Court Verdict Stands Final
Senators Sampson Ekong of Akwa Ibom South and Aniekan Bassey of Akwa Ibom North-East announced their move during Wednesday’s plenary.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio read their defection letters aloud, revealing both senators blamed the PDP’s ongoing leadership crisis for their exit.
This high-profile switch marks another blow to the PDP, which has seen several of its members drift towards rival platforms in recent months.
While some former PDP stalwarts are joining the APC, others have turned to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), realigning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defections have sparked renewed debate about the PDP’s internal troubles and the growing influence of the APC in southern Nigeria.
Also read:Â Akwa Ibom Youth Empowerment Gains Momentum with Digital Training
More shifts in allegiance are expected in the coming months as political camps solidify strategies for the next election cycle.
