Akpabio Mocks Shrinking Opposition As Enugu LP Senator Joins APC

* Two new senators sworn in

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Wednesday announced the defection of Senator Kevin Chukwu, representing Enugu East Senatorial District, from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with a blend of satire and celebration that underscored the growing depletion of the opposition ranks in the upper legislative chamber.

The defection, which took place during plenary, was accompanied by dramatic exchanges between Akpabio, the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, who took a swipe at his defecting colleague, describing him as a beneficiary of a “sympathy vote” from the 2023 elections.

Before reading Chukwu’s defection letter, Akpabio could not resist teasing the dwindling minority caucus in his trademark humour.

“To the All Progressives Congress, the only party, please receive and celebrate your colleague,” Akpabio said, as the chamber erupted in laughter.

He said: “I used to worry about the left side of the aisle, but I am no longer worried. If they like, let them all move here. 

“I only wanted a few of them to remain. Senator Osita Ngwu, Minority Leader, and Senator Abba Moro, you are the only ones left to hold. 

“Even Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, from the look on his face, doesn’t seem ready to join us. But your party is in tatters. What are you waiting for?”

Akpabio then proceeded to read Chukwu’s formal letter of resignation from the Labour Party and notification of his decision to join the APC.

In the letter addressed to the Senate President, Chukwu said his decision followed “extensive consultations” with his constituents and political stakeholders in Enugu East and across Enugu State.

“Recent developments within the Labour Party, including internal wranglings, leadership crisis, policy disagreements, and lack of cohesion and focus at both state and national levels, have made it increasingly difficult for me to effectively discharge my duties to the people,” Chukwu stated.

He further declared that the APC, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, “provides a more stable, progressive and inclusive platform for achieving our shared goals of economic growth, good governance, national unity, social development and progress for Nigeria”.

Akpabio, after reading the letter, formally accepted the defection.

“Your defection is accepted, noted and applauded. Welcome to the progressive family,” he declared.

Senate Leader and APC Caucus Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, seized the moment to congratulate his new party colleague, arguing that defections from the opposition parties were reflections of Nigeria’s political realities.

He said: “Every politician is local. They know the thinking of their people. They know it is in the overriding public interest that they do what they are doing. 

“We will continue to work with our colleagues in the minority side as more of them also look forward to joining us.”

In a tone laden with political metaphor, Bamidele added: “My mother used to tell me, Senator Abba Moro, that she would never say nobody should die in war, but she would also never say heaven should be empty.”

Bamidele added: “God created heaven for people to go there after living good lives. I want a strong and vibrant opposition, but where they cannot organize themselves, the right thing to do is to join us so we can move this country forward. Please, put your house in order.”

The Senate Leader’s remarks drew laughter across the chamber, but Minority Leader, Senator Moro, quickly rose to respond.

With measured restraint, he congratulated his former colleague while throwing a subtle jab at the circumstances surrounding his election and defection.

Moro said: “Mr. President, with due respect, I want to say that no matter the number here, we are capable of holding our own.

“Those who are gravitating towards the majority side are exercising their rights. But my brother and friend, Kevin, who has just left the third row here to go to the last row there, I wish him well. 

“But when it was announced that he was going, I asked, who did he consult? Because he didn’t talk to me.

“I do know that our politics are local. My brother came here for the Obedient Movement. He came here on the sympathy vote because an accident happened, but that is a story for another day.”

Moro referred to Chukwu’s emergence following the tragic assassination of his elder brother, Oyibo Chukwu, who was the Labour Party’s senatorial candidate during the 2023 elections.

Turning to Akpabio, the Minority Leader expressed concern about the Senate chamber becoming “too full” on the majority side, warning that political balance should remain a concern. 

“This house is becoming too full, Mr. President, and it should be of concern to you. For the rest of us that are here, we will try to remain here until 2027,” he said.

Akpabio, maintaining his light-hearted tone, replied: “Well, if you are waiting to cross over in 2027, no problem. Remain there. Your observations are noted.”

Chukwu’s defection further consolidates the APC’s dominance in the 10th Senate and deepens the political struggles within opposition parties, particularly the Labour Party, which has been battling leadership disputes and internal divisions since the 2023 general election.

Meanwhile, two new senators, Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central) of the APC and Nwachukwu Chibuzor (Anambra South) of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), were sworn in earlier in the day by the Senate President, bringing the chamber to its full complement of 109 members.

Akpabio congratulated the new lawmakers, urging them to “work harmoniously across party lines in the interest of national development”.

With Wednesday’s events, the Senate witnessed both political drama and legislative symbolism, one underscoring the shifting balance of power and the other, the steady restoration of its full membership.

​  

  • Related Posts

    EXCLUSIVE: Ondo Governor Aiyedatiwa Gives Zero Funding To Amotekun Capital Expenditure Despite Buying N1.9billion Armoured Vehicles

    According to the document, a sum of N2.3billion was budgeted for the Amotekun Corps’ capital needs, with nothing spent between January and September.  ArticlesRead More 

    How We Secured Joy Ikoja’s Freedom After Six Months In Detention, By Ogbede

    How We Secured Joy Ikoja’s Freedom After Six Months In Detention, By Ogbede

    By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti

    Following the release of Joy Ikoja, a lady remanded for allegedly tearing the scrotal sac of her boyfriend, counsel to the defendant, Barrister David Ogbede, has explained the reason for the continuous incarceration of the 22 year old despite her bail application approved by the Special Court 2.

    Joy Ikoja was remanded by the Ekiti State Magistrate’s Court, Ado Ekiti District, which ordered her remand in the correctional facility for allegedly inflicting wound on the manhood of her boyfriend, Ibrahim Usman, on April 12. The accused has finally met her stringent bail conditions, prompting her conditional release from the Ado Ekiti correctional centre.

    Ikoja was arraigned in April by Ekiti state police command for unlawfully tearing her boyfriend’s scrotal sac during a scuffle.

    The police prosecutor, Inspector Adeboye Adesegun, alleged that the defendant committed the offence at about 8p.m on April 12 at Irona area of Ado-Ekiti.

    The prosecutor said that “the defendant did unlawfully inflict a wound on one Ibrahim Usman by tearing his scrotal sac.

    The 22 year old was arraigned before Magistrate Oluwatomiwa Daramola while Barrister David Ogebde representing the accused appealed that his client should be admitted to bail while the prosecutor urged the court to refuse the defendant’s bail, saying she might likely jump bail.

    The Magistrate, Mr Olatomiwa Daramola, in his ruling, refused the bail request and ordered that she should be remanded at the Correctional custody in Ado Ekiti.

    The matter was however reassigned to the Special Court 2 before Justice Omoleye. A bail application was filed before the court but despite the spirited efforts of Barrister Ogbede and Barrister Apata, Joy Ikoja’s bail application stalled due to the stringent conditions attached.

    According to the defendant’s counsel, Barrister Ogbede, said Joy Ikoja was granted bail in August but could not perfect her bail conditions.
    ” Yes, we filed her bail applications and the court granted it some two months back but the conditions attached to the bail conditions could not be met as at that time. But thankfully the bail conditions were fully met yesterday and I am glad to inform you that Joy Ikoja is now out of the correctional home and will be attending court proceedings from her home,” Mr. Ogbede noted.

    ​  

    By Gbenga Sodeinde in Ado Ekiti Following the release of Joy Ikoja, a lady remanded for allegedly tearing the scrotal sac of her boyfriend, counsel to the defendant, Barrister David

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Business & Economy

    FGN bond subscriptions stay above N1 trillion despite falling rates 

    Nigerians hold N4.47 trillion cash outside banks in September as money supply drops 

    Cooking gas price surge threatens Nigeria’s clean energy transition goals 

    Bonny Light clings to $66 amid hopes for Trump-Xi trade breakthrough 

    TETFund: FG blames weak leadership for N675bn idle in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions

    Unilever Nigeria reports N13.257 billion pre-tax profit in Q3 2025, up 72.67% 

    GTBank, UBA lead Nigerian banks in Q3 digital conversion surge 

    NNPCL begins review of Port Harcourt, Warri, Kaduna refineries for viability 

    Credit to private sector falls to N72.5 trillion in September despite CBN rate cut 

    Kaduna Invests €10m in Arla Farm to Boost Dairy Production 

    Zoho Expands AI Access with Free Agentic Tools for Businesses

    Airtel Africa Highlights Importance of building Africa’s Digital Future

    How Google Disrupted Advertising with Mainstream Search

    IHS Nigeria Reaffirms Commitment to Sustainable Infrastructure

    Huawei, arravo to Enhance Customer Experience

    FG releases N2.3 billion to universities, pledges sustainable education reforms 

    Senate confirms Tinubu’s nominees as new Service Chiefs

    Nigerian aircraft owners seek govt intervention in plane ownership

    Nigerian aircraft owners seek govt intervention in plane ownership

    Nestlé Nigeria rebounds, records huge profit after recording loss in 2024

    Nestlé Nigeria rebounds, records huge profit after recording loss in 2024

    GTCO Plc releases 2025 Q3 unaudited results, reports Profit Before Tax of N900.8billion

    Berger Paints doubles Q3 2025 profit to N968 million as paint sales boom 

    FG signs $400 million deal with Stellar Steel for Ewekoro plant in Ogun 

    Arla Foods hosts second open day at Arla-Dano Farm Kaduna, deepening knowledge, innovation, and skills in Nigeria’s dairy future 

    VIVO and Credit Direct Checkout partner to expand smartphone access through BNPL Financing 

    House of Representatives approves Tinubu’s $2.35 billion loan request for 2025 budget 

    Nvidia becomes first company to hit $5 trillion market value amid AI boom 

    Explainer: How to pick the right mutual fund to protect your portfolio in November 2025 

    BREAKING: Tinubu slashes presidential pardon list from 175 to 34 amid public backlash 

    Court orders 8 banks to unfreeze accounts linked to 2022 IGP case  

    Meet 10 founders of Nigerian airlines driving $2.5bn aviation industry  

    KEDCO to install 128,000 prepaid meters under $500 million World Bank scheme 

    Nigeria’s money supply drops to N117.78 trillion in September amid rate cut  

    Dangote’s Naira rally call comes as it breaks below N1,450 mark

    Globus Bank tops H1 2025 Banking Industry Digital Marketing Efficiency Report — TikTok shines as ROI leader

    VFD Group grows nine-month 2025 profit to N7.9 billion as investments strengthen  

    Okomu Oil appoints Amina Maina as Independent Non-Executive Director