Adams Oshiomhole, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and current senator representing Edo North, has downplayed fears that the growing number of defections to the APC could jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy.
During an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Oshiomhole addressed the recent defection of three senators to the APC.
With these additions, the party now holds 68 seats in the Senate, approaching a two-thirds majority.
“Whether this is a danger to democracy? No, I don’t think so,” he stated.
He argued that a majority presence in the legislature does not suppress independent thinking or debates, explaining that lawmakers often take stances based on issues rather than party affiliation.
“If you’ve been following debates in the Senate, sometimes you can’t even distinguish who is PDP or APC in terms of the positions people take,” Oshiomhole noted.
He also maintained that it is common for ruling parties to seek legislative alignment in democracies, using the United States as an example.
“The US celebrates when a president has control of both the Congress and the Senate. Every government wants that because democracy, in a sense, is not only a means to an end, it is an end in itself.
“The right to contribute and the freedom to express yourself are part of what defines democracy, not just the number of parties represented,” he said.
Oshiomhole emphasized that his commitment remains to the national interest over partisan considerations.
“If you watch my contributions on the floor of the Senate, the first party is the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I’ve argued, and I make no apologies, that the total of all political parties in Nigeria, whether in or out of government, is not equivalent to Nigeria.”
“If I see a conflict between party interest and national interest, I have no difficulty in resolving it in favour of Nigeria,” he said.
Oshiomhole expressed delight at the recent defections, particularly because those who rejoined the APC were original party members.
“I was particularly excited because those who joined us today include co-founders of the APC. When a founder of a house returns to the house, those of us who have been there and missed their absence, it’s a thing of joy,” he said.
He dismissed claims that the defections were forced or manipulated, and responded to criticism over his controversial 2019 remark that joining the APC results in one’s sins being forgiven.
“It hurt me. That was mischief,” Oshiomhole said, insisting the comment had been taken out of context and twisted to stir controversy.
Earlier on Tuesday, Senators Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central), Yahaya Abdullahi (Kebbi North), and Garba Maidoki (Kebbi South) officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC during plenary.
Their switch followed consultations with President Bola Tinubu and other senior APC figures.
The APC now controls 68 out of 109 Senate seats.
The full composition is: APC – 68, PDP – 30, Labour Party – 5, NNPP – 1, SDP – 2, and APGA – 1.
In response to these developments, the PDP has begun reconciliation efforts to address the increasing number of defections from its ranks.
Speaking further, Oshiomhole commented on the House of Representatives’ recent decision to reject a bill seeking to legalize rotational presidency.
He supported the rejection, arguing that it was inappropriate to legislate power-sharing based on geography.
“The defeat of the rotational presidency motion, in my view, is appropriate. To try to use law to enforce geography as a basis, I don’t find much merit in it. Tinubu didn’t need rotation to be president — he fought his way through,” he said.
