APC Risks Internal Crisis Amid Rising Defections Says Abba Moro

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The growing wave of political defections into Nigeria’s ruling party has sparked concerns about the stability of the country’s democratic system. Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro has cautioned that the continued influx of politicians into the All Progressives Congress (APC) could eventually create internal tension within the party itself.

Speaking during a Senate plenary session, Moro stressed that the pattern of lawmakers abandoning opposition parties for the APC may disrupt the balance that healthy democracies require. According to him, democracy thrives when competing political voices remain active and strong rather than being overshadowed by a dominant ruling party.

His warning came shortly after two senators representing Rivers State, Barinada Mpigi and Allwell Onyesoh, publicly declared their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC during the proceedings of the chamber.

Although Moro acknowledged that lawmakers have the constitutional freedom to align themselves with any political party of their choice, he emphasized that excessive migration into one political camp could ultimately weaken democratic institutions.

To illustrate his concern, the Benue South senator used a vivid comparison. He explained that loading too many people into a boat already in motion could destabilize it and lead to disaster. In the same way, he suggested that the APC might face internal conflicts if the party becomes overcrowded with defectors who may have different interests and loyalties.

The minority leader also urged lawmakers who decide to leave their parties to remain honest about their reasons rather than portraying opposition parties as completely collapsed. According to him, presenting such narratives could distort public perception of Nigeria’s political landscape.

He further criticized the celebratory tone sometimes adopted by members of the ruling party when politicians defect. Moro argued that rejoicing over the weakening of opposition voices sends a troubling message for democratic governance.

During his speech, Senate President Godswill Akpabio interrupted and reminded Moro that the Senate session should remain focused on legislative matters scheduled for the day.

Despite the intervention, Moro insisted that the opposition in the Senate was still active and capable of performing its constitutional responsibilities. He rejected suggestions that opposition lawmakers had become irrelevant.

In his view, disagreement within the legislature should not be seen as chaos. Instead, he maintained that differing opinions are essential for effective lawmaking and democratic accountability.

However, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin challenged Moro’s remarks, describing them as personal opinions rather than a formal contribution under Senate procedure. He stated that the Minority Leader had not raised his concerns under the correct parliamentary rule required for such discussions.

Jibrin explained that Senate debates follow established procedures and that Moro’s comments did not comply with the chamber’s standing orders.

Akpabio Rules the Submission Out of Order

Supporting Jibrin’s position, Senate President Akpabio later ruled that Moro’s remarks were procedurally invalid. He pointed out that the Senate had already acknowledged and postponed discussions on the defection letters earlier in the session before moving to other legislative matters.

Nonetheless, Akpabio noted that expressions of dissatisfaction in a democratic system should not be completely suppressed. Reflecting on Moro’s earlier analogy, he remarked that it is natural for someone who feels wronged to voice their frustration.

The recent defections have slightly altered the political composition of the Senate. The Peoples Democratic Party now holds 24 seats, down from its previous 26, while the APC has increased its strength from 75 senators to 77.

Commentary and Analysis

The development highlights an ongoing trend in Nigerian politics where politicians frequently change party affiliation, often ahead of future electoral contests. While defections are not unusual in democratic systems, a consistent pattern of movement toward a single dominant party raises questions about political competition and institutional balance.

A weakened opposition could reduce the level of scrutiny applied to government policies in the National Assembly. At the same time, an overcrowded ruling party may struggle with internal divisions as competing political interests attempt to coexist within the same platform.

Moro’s warning therefore reflects a broader debate about the health of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy. Whether the APC benefits from the growing number of defectors or eventually experiences internal strains from the influx remains to be seen.