By SUNTV Global Channel
December 19, 2025 | News
Nigeria’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has declared that opposition parties in the National Assembly are close to political extinction, boasting that only “four or five” senators remain outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akpabio made the claim while addressing the APC National Caucus meeting, where he openly celebrated what he described as the steady collapse of opposition strength in the Senate and the growing dominance of the ruling party across Nigeria’s political space.
According to him, the balance of power in the Red Chamber has shifted dramatically since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
“When we came in, the opposition had almost 50 senators. But today, when I counted, there were about five or four left in the opposition,” Akpabio said.
“Even those few have whispered to me to take them to the President and the party leadership because they are ready to join the APC.”
The Senate President praised the APC National Working Committee led by Abdullahi Ganduje, as well as key party figures including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, for what he described as a well-coordinated political structure driving the party’s rapid expansion.
He noted that the APC had continued to attract prominent political figures without crisis or confrontation, while opposition parties steadily lost ground nationwide.
Despite the shrinking opposition, Akpabio said he was unwilling to preside over a Senate completely devoid of minority voices. He disclosed that he deliberately allowed some senators who had defected to the APC at the state level to remain within the minority caucus at the National Assembly to preserve legislative balance.
“I do not want to run a Senate without any opposition,” he said.
“That is why I intentionally allowed APC members who have declared in their states but are yet to declare in the Senate to continue in the minority caucus. Otherwise, the minority benches would have been empty.”
He specifically acknowledged Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, for permitting Senator Osita Ngwu to continue serving as Minority Chief Whip, describing the move as essential for maintaining order and structure in the chamber.
Turning to national security, Akpabio expressed deep concern over what he called “very serious, organised, and orchestrated insecurity” across the country. He said the APC stood in solidarity with states mourning victims of attacks by terrorists, bandits, and insurgents.
The Senate President commended President Bola Tinubu for the recent rescue of over 100 abducted children, while urging security agencies to intensify efforts to free those still held captive. He also paid tribute to members of the Armed Forces who lost their lives in the line of duty.
On the legislative front, Akpabio revealed that the Senate had taken tough measures to curb rising criminality, including reclassifying kidnapping as an act of terrorism.
“Once the President assents to the bill, kidnappers will face the death sentence,” he said, calling on state governors to enforce the law decisively.
“Failure to apply capital punishment will only encourage criminals to escape and return to kill more innocent people.”
Highlighting the APC’s growing political grip, Akpabio said the ruling party now controls 28 out of Nigeria’s 36 states, alongside an overwhelming majority in the National Assembly.
“APC governors are in charge of 28 states. This is national consensus. This is national acceptance,” he declared.
SUNTV Global Channel reports that Akpabio’s remarks have reignited debate over Nigeria’s multi-party democracy, the future of opposition politics, and the implications of one-party dominance in the country’s legislative and executive arms.
