Abuja, Nigeria – E be like say politics don reach new level as ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), don snag four senators from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Dem announce their defection wey happen on Wednesday and now, APC dey jost for two seats only to secure two-thirds majority for Senate.
This sharp change happen during plenary as Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the defection letters. Senators wey jump ship na Sampson Ekong and Aniekan Bassey from Akwa Ibom, plus Francis Fadahunsi and Olubiyi Fadeyi from Osun. Who say politics no be kolo?
Now APC dey hold 70 seats for the 109-member Senate—just two short of the 72 dem need for that juicy two-thirds majority wey fit make any bill dem want pass go through without any wahala from opposition. PDP now gather 28 seats while Labour Party (LP) dey manage five, Social Democratic Party (SDP) get two, while New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) na one each. But make nobody forget say two seats still dey empty as dem never do by-elections for Anambra South and Edo Central.
Political scientists don already Dey voice concern about this kind dominance. Professor Gbade Ojo talk say if APC continue this way, e fit turn to ‘yes ma, yes sir’ legislature wey no go fit challenge executive power again. E dey fear say e go lead to dictatorship wey no go correct any nonsense wey government dey do. “Power dey corrupt,” Ojo talk as e advise opposition party make dem gather their house well before e too late. E say dem dey suffer self-inflicted injury wey make dem weak.
Ojo even talk say if opposition parties no smart up and stop to dey act like say dem dey share same brain, Nigerian politics go remain empty almost like polythene bag wey no get value. “Nobody supposed to gree make two parties be like twin brothers. Na why we dey see everybody dey jost for survival without principles. ”
As for the defecting senators, dem get different reasons wey dem give for their wahala—Senator Bassey say e no fit fold hand while the PDP dey scatter, while Ekong reason am say na to join APC go help him people better. Senator Fadahunsi yan say e dey align with people wey wan bring change, while Fadeyi come dey vex for PDP leadership wey supposed don sabi better.
As dem don shift ground, e be like say APC dey set to enjoy more power, but, who be dem dey control the streets wey get the real issues wey citizens dey face? Time go tell.
