Senate power shifts as as Umeh, Hanga join NDC, Abaribe moves to LP
The balance of power in the Senate shifted further on Tuesday as three senators switched parties in a fresh round of defections, altering the numerical strength of political blocs in
The balance of power in the Senate shifted further on Tuesday as three senators switched parties in a fresh round of defections, altering the numerical strength of political blocs in the Red Chamber ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) and the Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Rufai Hanga (Kano Central), defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Labour Party (LP).
The defections were formally announced during plenary through separate letters read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The lawmakers attributed their decisions to internal crises and leadership disputes within the ADC and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
The development boosted the NDC’s presence in the Senate from one to three members, following the earlier defection of former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), to the party on March 31.
With the latest changes, the Senate composition now stands at: All Progressives Congress (APC) – 88 senators; African Democratic Congress (ADC) – 8 senators; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – 4 senators; Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) – 3 senators; All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – 1 senator; and Accord Party – 1 senator.
Four seats remain vacant following the deaths of senators representing Enugu North, Nasarawa North and Rivers South-East, as well as the appointment of the senator representing Ondo South to Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations.
The defections represent a setback for the ADC, which has now lost two senators less than two months after both Umeh and Abaribe joined the party during earlier political realignments in the National Assembly.
In his letter, Abaribe cited lingering leadership and litigation crises within the ADC as the reason for his return to the Labour Party, while Umeh pointed to persistent internal divisions that, he said, made the party unsuitable for serious political engagement ahead of the 2027 elections.
“The divisions within the leadership of the ADC have become deep-rooted and counterproductive,” Umeh said.
“There have been unending litigations and reconciliation efforts, but these have not yielded the cohesion required for effective political engagement.”
He explained that the decision followed broad consultations with his constituents, political associates and family members.
“This decision was not taken lightly,” he stated. “I engaged widely with my constituents, my supporters and my family before arriving at this conclusion, which I believe is in the best interest of those I represent.”
Umeh assured his constituents that his commitment to national development and effective representation would remain unchanged under the NDC platform.
“I remain fully committed to the development of our nation and the welfare of my constituents,” he said. “I will now pursue these goals under the platform of the NDC.”
Hanga, in his defection notice, also cited political considerations and consultations with stakeholders as reasons for his decision to switch from the NNPP to the NDC.
Political observers said the latest defections signalled intensifying political realignments and coalition-building efforts ahead of the 2027 elections, especially among opposition politicians seeking viable platforms to challenge the dominance of the ruling APC.
Umeh, a former National Chairman of APGA, has remained a prominent opposition voice in the Senate, while Abaribe is widely regarded as one of the most experienced lawmakers in the upper chamber.
