Chinazaekpere Chinwendu, Reporter
Abuja, Nigeria – June 3, 2025 —
The lawmaker representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Obi Aguocha-MHR, has sounded a serious warning over the increasing number of defections from opposition parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a looming threat to the country’s democratic health.
Speaking during a candid live interview on Arise TV, Hon. Aguocha expressed deep concern about the pace and volume of defections, particularly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), warning that Nigeria’s multiparty democracy was “under siege” from a creeping one-party dominance in the legislature.
“The rate at which lawmakers, particularly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are crossing over to the APC is alarming,” he said.
“It weakens the opposition’s ability to influence or block critical bills, leaving the legislative process vulnerable to domination by a single political force.”
According to Hon. Aguocha, the APC is currently just four defections away from attaining an absolute majority in the Senate, a development that could shift the balance of power dangerously in favor of the ruling party. He cautioned that such an outcome would empower the APC to “bulldoze” through legislative proposals without adequate scrutiny or challenge.
“If the Senate loses just four more opposition members, the APC will have absolute control and can push through any legislation they desire without opposition,” he noted, emphasizing that democracy thrives on dissent and balance, not monopoly.
Hon. Aguocha stressed that legislative plurality is essential for safeguarding the Constitution and preserving the principles of checks and balances. He warned that if the trend continues unchecked, it could lead to a pseudo-authoritarian governance model masked as democracy.
“This situation is dangerous for the future of our democracy,” Aguocha cautioned.
“A legislature without meaningful opposition is a rubber stamp, not a representative body.”
Despite the concerns, Hon Aguocha expressed cautious optimism in the integrity of many lawmakers, asserting that a collective commitment to the Nigerian Constitution could serve as a bulwark against potential abuses of legislative power.
“I believe the members of the National Assembly, both in the Senate and the House of Representatives, are objective people. If push comes to shove, they will stand in defense of the Constitution,” he affirmed.
His comments have triggered a flurry of reactions across Nigeria’s political spectrum. While some political analysts echo Aguocha’s concerns, urging stronger institutional safeguards to protect the multiparty system, others argue that defections are a byproduct of weak party ideologies and internal discord within opposition parties.
Civil society organizations have also weighed in, calling for electoral reforms that would impose stricter conditions for party-switching by elected officials.
As Nigeria inches closer to the 2027 general elections, Hon. Aguocha’s warning has amplified a national conversation about the health of Nigeria’s democracy and the need for legislative reforms that preserve political diversity. The coming months are expected to be crucial in determining whether Nigeria’s National Assembly can withstand the pressures of partisan realignment and remain a truly representative institution.
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