A past statement credited to Senate President Godswill Akpabio has resurfaced on social media as the Nigerian Senate experiences a fresh round of party defections. The old Facebook post, believed to have been made in November 2016 during Akpabio’s time as a senator for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is drawing attention again due to its firm stance against defection.
In the now-viral post, Akpabio wrote: “As lawmakers, Senators must not encourage political rascality. That is why PDP Senators today staged a walkout to protest the purported defection of Senator Yele Omogunwa, who was elected on the platform of the PDP but claimed he wants to defect to the APC to support the Governor-elect of his state. The constitution is clear on this: if a Senator defects to another political party, he loses his seat.”
Nearly nine years later, the political atmosphere in the Senate appears to have shifted. Akpabio, now serving as Senate President under the All Progressives Congress (APC), is being criticized for not acting on recent defections—this time from the PDP to the ruling party. Critics argue that he has remained silent as several senators leave their original party, contradicting the strong views he once shared.
On May 9, 2025, three PDP senators from Kebbi State—Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South)—officially moved to the APC after meeting President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. Earlier in February, Senator Ned Nwoko of Delta North also switched allegiance to the APC.
Despite these high-profile shifts, Akpabio has not requested that any of the defecting lawmakers vacate their seats, causing outrage among opposition members. Many view this inaction as a clear departure from his former principles.
Reacting to the situation, opposition senators staged a walkout during a recent plenary session. Senator Abba Moro (Benue South), speaking for the protesting PDP members, said: “We cannot stand by and watch as the sanctity of our democratic institutions is eroded by political expediency. If the Senate President once believed in protecting party mandates, he must now prove it by his actions.”
The 2016 Facebook post has since sparked debate among Nigerians online, with many questioning Akpabio’s consistency and accusing him of applying double standards depending on the party in power. Some users also noted that such behavior could further weaken public trust in the legislative arm of government.
