Nwoye Takes Senate Minority Whip Role After Ngwu Defection

Senator Tony Nwoye has emerged as Nigeria’s Senate Minority Whip, following a wave of defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Nwoye, who represents Anambra North Senatorial District, was unanimously selected by the minority caucus to take up the role.

His appointment follows the defection of his predecessor, Osita Ngwu, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. In a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Mr Ngwu said his decision was influenced by his alignment with President Bola Tinubu and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, describing the APC as a stable political platform.

Mr Nwoye was elected to the Senate in 2023 on the platform of the Labour Party before defecting to the African Democratic Congress in 2025.

The development comes amid a broader shift in the Senate, with several lawmakers joining the APC. Among them are Senator Anthony Siyako Yaro, who cited internal disputes within the PDP, and Senator Aliyu Wadada, who moved from the Social Democratic Party.

Reacting to the trend, Senator Adams Oshiomhole said the defections reflected growing confidence in the ruling party. The APC now holds 91 seats in the Senate.