Akpabio Mocks Opposition as Labour Party Senator Defects to APC

The Senate chamber witnessed a moment of political drama on Wednesday following the defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Chukwu, who represents Enugu East Senatorial District, announced his decision during plenary, citing unresolved internal crises and factional disputes within the Labour Party as the reasons for his defection.

With his move, the APC now commands 73 seats in the 10th Senate, effectively securing a two-thirds majority a development that further consolidates the ruling party’s control over the upper legislative chamber.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his reaction, could not resist taking a jab at the opposition, describing the defections as evidence of deepening cracks among the minority parties.

“The umbrella is torn, and the broom is sweeping strong,” Akpabio quipped, drawing laughter from several APC lawmakers present at the session.

His remarks, however, provoked an immediate reaction from the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), who rose to challenge Akpabio’s comments, insisting that the opposition remains united despite recent defections.

Moro maintained that the Labour Party and other minority blocs in the Senate were “undergoing internal restructuring” and would “bounce back stronger.”

The defection of Senator Chukwu comes amid ongoing turbulence within the Labour Party, which has been plagued by leadership tussles between the faction led by Julius Abure and other contending groups since the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.

Political observers say the latest defection could further weaken the Labour Party’s presence in the National Assembly and strengthen the APC’s legislative influence as key bills and political alignments take shape ahead of 2027.