Senator Ned Munir Nwoko on Wednesday, February 5, officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during a Senate plenary session.
Nwoko, who was elected to the Senate in 2023 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, announced his decision in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, titled “Notice of Departure from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” Senator Nwoko attributed his defection to the persistent crises plaguing the PDP. He described the party’s internal divisions and lack of clear leadership as factors undermining its role as an effective opposition.
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With his impressive background and influence in Delta State, particularly in the Delta North Senatorial District, Senator Nwoko’s addition is expected to significantly enhance the party’s presence.
APC Senators, were eager to collaborate with Senator Nwoko and continue to join forces with President Bola Tinubu to drive Nigeria’s progress. They look forward to working closely with Senator Nwoko to achieve shared goals and aspirations for Nigeria.
After Distinguished Senator Ned Nwoko, Senator Representing Delta North Senatorial District, was received into the fold of the APC when he crossed on the floor of the Senate from the PDP to the APC, Barr. Festus Keyamo led other notable leaders of the APC in Delta State to present him to the National Chairman of the APC at the APC National Secretariat and the entire members of the APC NWC. They were warmly received by all, after which there was a Press Conference.
“The PDP, which once stood as a formidable platform for democratic participation and national development, has unfortunately been engulfed in persistent crises, ranging from internal divisions to a lack of clear leadership and direction,” Nwoko wrote.
The Senator warned that the party’s instability threatens Nigeria’s democracy, cautioning against the risk of the country sliding into a one-party system. “If urgent steps are not taken to address this national emergency, Nigeria risks sliding into a dangerous one-party system, which history has shown to be detrimental to governance and national stability,” he stated.
Nwoko called for the establishment of an Ad-Hoc Committee in the Senate to investigate the PDP’s internal crisis and propose solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. He urged the committee to engage stakeholders, identify the root causes of the party’s challenges, and recommend reforms to ensure the survival of a viable opposition.
Despite his defection, Nwoko reassured his constituents in Delta North of his commitment to their service and pledged to continue contributing to national progress. He also requested that his new party affiliation be officially recorded in the Senate’s documentation.
The Senator’s defection represents another significant political realignment within Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
