APC SECURES TWO-THIRDS SENATE MAJORITY TWO AND A HALF YEARS AFTER 10TH NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INAUGURATION
ABUJA – Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on June 12, 2023, the balance of power in the Senate has shifted significantly in favor of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At inception, the APC held 59 seats, while opposition parties collectively occupied 50, leaving the ruling party short of the two-thirds majority needed for critical national decisions, such as constitutional amendments, veto overrides, or impeachment.
As of December 20, 2025, APC senators have increased to 78, leaving opposition parties markedly reduced: PDP 24, APGA 2, Labour Party 1, NNPP 1, SDP 1, and ADC 1, with one seat vacant following the death of Senator Okey Ezea (LP, Enugu North).
How the Shift Happened
The Senate initially included members from APC, PDP, LP, APGA, NNPP, YPP, and SDP:
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APC – 59
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PDP – 36
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LP – 8
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NNPP – 2
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SDP – 2
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YPP – 1
Court rulings triggered early changes. In late 2023, the Court of Appeal annulled elections for some senators, leading to PDP replacements in Kogi Central and Abia Central.
Defections further altered the landscape. In October 2023, the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (YPP, Anambra South) joined APC, eliminating YPP representation. Major realignments followed in 2025, with Senators Benson Konbowei and Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa) and Jarigbe Jarigbe (Cross River North) moving from PDP to APC.
Subsequent departures include Senator Sunday Katung (Kaduna North) from PDP to APC and Senator Ireti Kingibe from LP to ADC, solidifying APC’s two-thirds control.
Current Senate Composition
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APC – 78
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PDP – 24
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APGA – 2
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LP – 1
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NNPP – 1
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SDP – 1
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ADC – 1
Implications of a Two-Thirds Majority
With 109 statutory seats, a two-thirds majority requires 73 senators. APC’s current 78 members give the party the ability to unilaterally influence major legislative decisions, including:
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Constitutional amendments
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Overriding presidential vetoes
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Impeachment of the President or Vice President
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Approving a state of emergency
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Creating new states
While routine matters still rely on a simple majority—such as passing ordinary bills, electing presiding officers, adopting committee reports, and confirming appointments—the APC’s supermajority now ensures decisive control over critical national policies.
A similar pattern is evident in the House of Representatives, where APC holds 240 seats, compared with PDP 74, LP 25, NNPP 15, SDP 3, and YPP 1.
Committee of the Whole
The Senate often uses this stage to examine bills clause by clause, introduce amendments, and consider conference reports under more flexible rules. The Senate President temporarily relinquishes the chair during this process, which feeds into decisions adopted in plenary.
The Road Ahead
APC’s dominant position raises questions about Nigeria’s democratic balance. Will the party use its numerical advantage to strengthen governance, or could it undermine pluralism? Much now depends on the leadership of Senate President Godwill Akpabio and how minority parties respond to ensure checks and balances remain effective.
For Nigerians, the hope is that the APC’s supermajority will be leveraged to build the nation, not weaken its democratic institutions.
