The Senate has named Tony Nwoye, representing African Democratic Congress (Anambra North), as the new Minority Whip following the defection of the former occupant of the position, Osita Ngwu, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Earlier, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read out letters announcing the defection of both Ngwu and Anthony Siyako Yaro (Gombe South), who also moved from the PDP to the APC.

It was gathered that Nwoye’s appointment followed his nomination by an overwhelming majority—about 95 percent—of senators within the Minority Caucus after Ngwu vacated the role. In a related development, Akpabio also read a defection notice from Aliyu Wadada (Nasarawa West), who left the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the APC.

In explaining his decision, Ngwu pointed to the prolonged internal crisis within the PDP at the National Assembly and expressed his desire to align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda. Yaro cited similar reasons for his own defection, while Wadada stated that he had already joined the APC at the ward level since August 2025, with the Senate notification serving as formal confirmation.

Reacting to the wave of defections, Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) described the moves as voluntary and in line with constitutional provisions, adding that they signal growing confidence in the ruling party and the Tinubu administration.

Following these developments, the APC now holds a dominant position in the Senate with 89 members, while the ADC has 9, the PDP 4, and other parties—including the National Democratic Congress, Accord Party, and NNPP—hold one seat each, out of a total of 109 seats.