A wave of political defections, dubbed “Hurricane Tinubu,” has seen 12 additional federal lawmakers, including 10 from Akwa Ibom State, declare their intention to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors include Senators Ekong Sampson (Akwa Ibom South) and Aniekan Bassey (Akwa Ibom North-East), as well as House of Representatives members Okpolupm Etteh, Paul Asuquo, Alphonsus Uduak, Ime Bassey, Martins Esin, Unyime Idem, and Mark Esset—all from the PDP. Emmanuel Ukpongudo of the YPP is also expected to switch allegiance to the APC.
These defections come just as two other senators—Neda Imasuen (Edo) and Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa)—are set to join the APC, further bolstering the party’s presence in the National Assembly.
Though some of the lawmakers confirmed their defection plans, they declined to speak officially, citing legislative protocol. The APC’s National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, confirmed the development, noting that the party is strategically positioning itself ahead of the 2027 general elections.
This shift in party allegiance follows the defection of Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, from the PDP to the APC last Friday. Governor Eno cited the need to align Akwa Ibom with the federal government as the basis for his decision, stating that his government has always been inclusive and that this would not change.
Governor Eno made the announcement in Uyo, revealing that his move came after three months of wide consultations with key stakeholders. “Earlier this morning, I submitted my formal letter of resignation from the PDP to my ward chairman,” Eno disclosed. “I have therefore decided to progressively move to the APC.”
Eno's defection mirrors a similar move by Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who joined the APC in April, taking with him the entire PDP structure in his state. However, unlike Oborevwori, Eno’s move did not involve the wholesale migration of Akwa Ibom’s PDP structure, as only a group of federal lawmakers and a few appointees followed him. Notably, three commissioners in his cabinet resigned, refusing to cross over.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was seen monitoring the development on TVC News, as shown in a video posted by the APC’s official X (formerly Twitter) handle, underscoring his involvement and strategic interest in the expanding political landscape.
Despite rising criticism that the APC is attempting to turn Nigeria into a one-party state, party insiders confirmed ongoing efforts to woo four additional PDP governors into the APC fold.
Governor Eno’s formal welcome into the APC was led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, who also chairs the Progressive Governors Forum, during a high-profile event in Akwa Ibom.
Eno stated, “Today, fellow Akwa Ibomites, we are gathered here to witness change while affirming the constancy of our shared values. As the Dalai Lama said, we should always be open to change, but not let go of our values.”
The defection drive underscores the APC’s aggressive political consolidation strategy and signals a potential realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
The wave of defections sweeping across Nigeria’s political landscape continued to gather momentum as more federal lawmakers and politicians abandoned their parties to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in what many now refer to as “Hurricane Tinubu.”
A total of 10 National Assembly members from Akwa Ibom State—previously with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP)—have declared allegiance to the APC, pledging to follow Governor Umo Eno, who defected to the ruling party on June 6. The lawmakers insisted their decision was voluntary, not borne out of pressure.
Confirming the development, one lawmaker said, “We left with the governor on June 6. All the PDP National Assembly members from Akwa Ibom, including one YPP member, joined him in the APC. There was no pressure from any angle.”
An aide to one of the defecting lawmakers disclosed that their formal defection letters would be read on the floor of the National Assembly by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas when plenary resumes on June 17.
Among the defectors are Senators Ekong Sampson and Aniekan Bassey, and eight members of the House of Representatives. A source said both senators had long committed to moving with Governor Eno.
Notably absent at the defection ceremony was Eno’s predecessor and political mentor, Udom Emmanuel, who has vowed to remain loyal to the PDP regardless of the party’s internal dynamics.
Meanwhile, the Senator representing Edo South, Neda Imasuen of the Labour Party, has also announced his intention to defect to the APC on June 12. Citing internal chaos within the LP and a desire to align his district with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Imasuen said, “The current disarray in the LP will not help me achieve my goals for my people.”
Similarly, Senator Ahmed Wadada of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), representing Nasarawa West, is reportedly on his way to the APC. His exit follows what he described as “irreconcilable differences” with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, whose entrance into the SDP caused friction. Wadada said, “I cannot be part of a political platform where there is no ideological direction and where personal ambition overrides collective interest.”
APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, stated that nearly all Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly members were joining the APC, with a few hesitant members still being persuaded. He confirmed that four more PDP governors were being courted to join the APC, with Adamawa, Plateau, Osun, and Bayelsa under close watch.
Arodiogbu dismissed claims of inducement, saying the defectors were motivated by the “visible success” of the Tinubu administration. “No one is being coerced. The achievements of the Tinubu administration are self-evident,” he asserted.
With Governor Eno’s defection, the APC now controls 23 states. The PDP is left with just 10, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) each govern one state.
In Adamawa, speculation is rife over Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s loyalty to the PDP. His strained relationship with PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, and a recent meeting with National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, have heightened rumours of defection.
In Bauchi, the PDP state chapter dismissed Eno’s move as a betrayal of his predecessor and insisted it would not affect PDP's standing. “Eno has been romancing the APC since his swearing-in. He has betrayed his predecessor,” said Dayyabu Ciroma, the party’s publicity secretary, who expressed confidence in the PDP’s continued dominance in Bauchi.
Similarly, Taraba PDP Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Bawa, rejected claims that Governor Agbu Kefas might defect to the APC. “Taraba remains the only Northern state never governed by an opposition party. Governor Kefas has demonstrated full loyalty to the PDP through actions like salary increases and clearing backlog,” he said.
However, the APC in Taraba expressed readiness to welcome Kefas should he decide to defect. “The APC is big enough to accommodate everyone,” said party chieftain Ambassador Ardo Hassan.
In Plateau State, APC Chairman Rufus Bature said the party had not formally courted Governor Caleb Mutfwang, but that he would be welcome under Nigeria’s constitutional freedom of association. PDP Deputy Chairman Bitrus Golen reaffirmed Mutfwang’s commitment to the PDP.
Edo’s Labour Party Chairman, Kelly Ogbaloi, confirmed Senator Imasuen’s departure, stating that the party attempted to persuade him to remain but he was firm in his decision. “It is painful, but there is nothing the party can do,” he said.
Edo APC Secretary Lawrence Okah celebrated the move, revealing that other key politicians would join the party on June 12. “More are coming after June 12,” he declared.
As the 2027 elections approach, the political landscape continues to shift dramatically, with the APC rapidly consolidating its dominance through high-profile defections.
ADEOLA KUNLE
