Senator Adams Oshiomhole has dismissed concerns that the growing number of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) poses a threat to Nigeria’s democracy, following the defection of three more senators to the ruling party.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Oshiomhole — who represents Edo North Senatorial District — confirmed that the APC now holds 68 seats in the Senate, edging closer to a two-thirds majority.
“Whether this is a danger to democracy? No, I don’t think so,” he stated.
He argued that the substance of debates in the Senate often transcends party lines, noting that it can be difficult to distinguish between senators based on party affiliation during policy discussions.
“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,” he added.
Oshiomhole went on to draw a parallel with the United States, where it is common for the executive and legislature to be controlled by the same party.
“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,” he explained.
He emphasized that freedom of expression and contribution are the core tenets of democracy, not merely the number of parties represented in the legislature.
The recent wave of defections marks a significant shift in the composition of the Nigerian Senate, sparking debate over party dominance and legislative independence.
