Senator Ned Munir Nwoko announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) at a Senate plenary session on Wednesday, February 5.
Nwoko, who was elected to the Senate in 2023 on the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) platform, revealed 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 cited internal disagreements and a lack of clear leadership as factors limiting the party’s ability to function as an effective opposition.
“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 cautioned that the party’s instability endangers Nigeria’s democracy, and that the country risks devolving into a one-party regime. “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 proposed the formation of an Ad-Hoc Committee in the Senate to study the PDP’s internal issue and recommend measures to promote Nigeria’s multi-party democracy. He asked the committee to engage stakeholders, determine the underlying causes of the party’s problems, and propose reforms to assure the survival of a viable opposition.
Despite his defection, Nwoko assured his constituents in Delta North of his dedication to their service and promised to continue contributing to national advancement. He also asked that his new party affiliation be properly documented in the Senate’s records.
The Senator’s defection marks yet another significant political realignment in Nigeria’s changing political environment.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli