Drama unfolded on the floor of the Senate as Senate President Godswill Akpabio openly mocked the Minority Leader, Abba Moro, after two senators from Taraba State defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress.

The defectors, Shuaibu Lau representing Taraba North and Haruna Manu representing Taraba Central, formally announced their exit from the PDP in separate letters addressed to the Senate and read by Akpabio during plenary. Their move further swelled the ranks of the APC in the 10th Senate and weakened the already diminished opposition caucus.

Reading Manu’s letter, Akpabio quoted him as saying that his decision followed “deep and extensive consultations” with his constituents and stakeholders, and that his “conscience and contributions” would be better served on the APC platform. Lau, in his own letter, cited growing unease with the PDP’s internal direction and insisted the APC now better reflected his values and political vision.

The two lawmakers were immediately welcomed by APC senators with cheers from the majority benches, setting the stage for a political exchange between the leadership of both blocs.

Seizing the moment, Akpabio turned to the opposition leader. “I am sure Senator Abba Moro has something to say about this. So please proceed,” he said, drawing laughter across the chamber.

Moro, rising to respond, dismissed the defections as a predictable post-election ritual, but admitted personal disappointment. He argued that the claim of “wide consultations” was misleading, noting that the minority leadership was never approached. He recounted confronting one of the defectors earlier in the day, warning that the move would not serve his interests, only to discover the letter of defection had already been written.

Akpabio interjected when Moro lamented that the senators had left “with my mandate,” joking that such a statement implied concurrence from the minority side. Moro rejected that interpretation and insisted the defections were unilateral decisions.

Despite the setback, the Minority Leader vowed to remain resolute. He stressed that minority status was not about numbers but about representation and pledged to lead the caucus “even if” its ranks continued to thin.

Akpabio responded with another jab, saying he was pleased that Moro was prepared to lead “even if you are the only one remaining,” a remark that again drew laughter from the majority benches.

The latest defections highlight a continuing trend in the 10th Senate, where opposition lawmakers have steadily crossed over to the ruling party, often citing internal crises and the need to align with the federal government’s agenda. The Senate’s current composition stands at APC – 80; PDP – 21; Labour Party – 2; All Progressives Grand Alliance – 1; New Nigeria Peoples Party – 1; and African Democratic Congress – 1.