APC secures 74 senate seats as Bayelsa senator dumps PDP
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has further strengthened its majority in the Senate, now commanding the support of 74 senators, following the defection of Benson Konbowei from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Konbowei, who represents Bayelsa Central, announced his defection during Thursday’s plenary session in a letter read by Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President.
The lawmaker cited the “unending crisis and loss of leadership direction” within the PDP as reasons for his exit.
His move follows that of Douye Diri, Bayelsa State Governor, who recently dumped the opposition party for the APC, triggering a wave of political realignments in the state and within the National Assembly.
In his letter addressed to the Senate President, Konbowei explained that his decision came after deep consultations with his family, associates, and political leaders.
“Concerning the unpleasant circumstances and crisis-torn situation of the Peoples Democratic Party, of which I have been a member since 1998, I have resolved to join the governor of my state, Senator Douye Diri, in resigning from the party,” Konbowei said.
He lamented that the PDP, once a formidable political platform, had become plagued by internal wrangling, leadership tussles, and a lack of direction.
He added, “I have lost hope in the capacity of my party to play the role of a political party that is capable of winning council elections in Nigeria.”
The Bayelsa senator lamented, “Oh, Alex Ekweme of blessed memory. Oh, Solomon Lar, of blessed memory. The political party you all built, which shared lofty promises for Nigerians, has fallen into the wrong hands. Lacking the principled leadership of you, the founders, the PDP has become characterised by internal power struggles, irreconcilable conflicts, and at the moment is in total disarray.
“And there is no one worthy of being called a politician who will sit and wait for those issues to be resolved while the 2027 election beckons.
“Accordingly, it has left me with no option but to resign from that party you all built.”
Akpabio, who welcomed Konbowei to the ruling party, described his defection as a “bold and wise decision” that reflects the growing confidence of Nigerians in the APC-led government.
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Konbowei’s defection comes amid a series of recent political shifts in the National Assembly, where several PDP senators, including those from Kebbi, Bauchi, Enugu, Edo, and Cross River states, among others.
With Konbowei’s move, the APC now firmly controls 74 of the 109 seats in the Senate, tightening its grip on legislative proceedings and key decision-making processes.
