Senate Minority Leader Warns Against APC Overload Amid Rivers Senators’ Defections

Abba Moro, Senate Minority Leader, has likened the All Progressives Congress (APC) to an “overloaded boat midstream,” warning that the recent wave of defections to the ruling party could destabilize Nigeria’s democracy.

Moro made the remarks on Tuesday during plenary following the defection of Senators Barinada Mpigi (Rivers South-East) and Allwell Onyesoh (Rivers East) from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. The senators were formally admitted into the chamber by APC leaders after the Senate temporarily suspended its rules.

Describing the development as a “dangerous drift in Nigeria’s democracy,” Moro said the defections weaken the opposition and upset the balance necessary for democratic governance.

“In view of what has just happened, I want to say my colleagues who have moved exercised their right to associate as they wish,” Moro said. “However, when you overload a boat midstream, the possible consequence is capsizing. We must not give the impression that the PDP or the opposition is collapsing.”

Moro added that political movements should be carried out with conviction rather than projecting a sense of imminent collapse. “In our tradition, you cannot beat a child and ask him not to cry. It is unfortunate that some celebrate this dangerous drift as if it is a victory,” he said.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio intervened, asking Moro to restrict his comments to the business of the day. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also said Moro’s comments were personal opinions that violated Senate rules.

Despite the objections, Akpabio noted that the expression of dissent should not be suppressed. Moro reaffirmed, “This side of the aisle has not collapsed. We will continue to work in Nigeria’s interest.”

The defections reduced the PDP’s Senate representation from 26 to 24 seats, while increasing the APC’s seats from 75 to 77. The defecting senators cited internal divisions within the PDP at the national level as their reason for leaving.