APC Risks Internal Crisis Amid Rising Defections Says Abba Moro

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Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro has warned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) could face internal instability if the growing influx of defecting politicians into the ruling party continues unchecked.

Moro raised the concern during Senate plenary on Tuesday, arguing that the steady movement of lawmakers into the APC threatens Nigeria’s democratic balance by weakening opposition parties.

His remarks followed the defection of two Rivers State senators, Barinada Mpigi and Allwell Onyesoh, who formally announced their move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC during the session.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of lawmakers to associate freely, Moro cautioned that excessive political migration into a single party could have serious consequences for the country’s democracy.

Using a metaphor, the Benue South lawmaker compared the situation to overloading a boat midstream, warning that such action could lead to its eventual collapse.

He further urged defecting lawmakers to stand firmly by their convictions without projecting an image that the opposition had collapsed or become irrelevant.

Moro criticized what he described as celebratory reactions from the ruling party, arguing that taking pride in the weakening of opposition parties poses a danger to democratic governance.

According to him, suppressing dissenting voices in the legislature undermines democratic principles, insisting that political disagreement should not be mistaken for disorder.

During his address, Senate President Godswill Akpabio interrupted and advised Moro to confine his remarks strictly to the day’s legislative business.

Despite the interruption, Moro maintained that the opposition remained strong and committed to protecting Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that it had not disintegrated as being suggested.

He assured that opposition lawmakers would continue to act in the national interest from their side of the Senate.

Responding, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin described Moro’s comments as personal opinions, stating that the Minority Leader had breached Senate procedural rules.

Jibrin explained that such remarks should have been raised under the appropriate Senate order, noting that they did not comply with the chamber’s standing rules.

‘Submission Was Invalid’ – Akpabio

Backing Jibrin, Senate President Akpabio ruled that Moro’s submissions were procedurally invalid, pointing out that the defection letters had already been read earlier and deferred before the Senate moved on to its main agenda.

However, Akpabio added that expressions of dissatisfaction should not be completely stifled, referencing Moro’s analogy that a child should be allowed to cry after being beaten.

The latest defections have reduced the PDP’s representation in the Senate from 26 to 24 seats, while increasing the APC’s numbers from 75 to 77.