Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Minority Leader Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South) clashed on Wednesday over the growing wave of defections by opposition lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The exchange followed the defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East) from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC. In his defection letter, read during plenary, Chukwu attributed his decision to the collapse of internal democracy and lack of cohesion within the Labour Party.
Reacting to the defection, Akpabio made light of the opposition’s dwindling ranks, saying he was unbothered by their losses.
“If they like, let them all move here. Your decision to leave a tattered house is accepted,” the Senate President quipped, adding that several political parties were currently in disarray.
However, his remarks drew a swift response from Senator Moro, who cautioned Akpabio to maintain neutrality as presiding officer of the Senate.
“Mr. President, with due respect, you are the Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not just of the APC. No matter our numbers, we are capable of holding our own,” Moro stated.
The Minority Leader also voiced concern over the frequent defections, describing the upper chamber as “too full.” He nonetheless wished Senator Chukwu well in his new political party.
“He came here on the Obedient movement, on a sympathy vote—but that’s a story for another day,” Moro added.
