President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has defended his decision to sign Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2026 into law, describing the move as a demonstration of his administration’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law.

The president made the remarks during an interfaith breaking of fast with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), the umbrella body of political parties in Nigeria, at the State House in Abuja.

Tinubu said the legislation was passed with overwhelming support in the National Assembly of Nigeria, noting that refusing assent could have plunged the country into unnecessary political tension and prolonged disputes over the law.

Describing himself as a “die-hard democrat,” the president stressed that Nigeria’s democratic process must always be guided by the rule of law.

He also emphasised that alliances among political parties should remain voluntary in a democratic system, insisting that no political actor should face intimidation or persecution for choosing which political platform or alliance to support.

Tinubu added that political pluralism and freedom of association remain key pillars of Nigeria’s democratic journey.

A former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bauchi State, Sadique Abubakar, has reportedly defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a move that could reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Abubakar, a retired Air Marshal and former Chief of Air Staff, was the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 Bauchi State election, where he challenged the incumbent governor but lost the race.

Sources close to the politician said he was seen at an inaugural meeting of the ADC in Abuja alongside other party stakeholders, signalling his alignment with the opposition party. Although a formal public declaration had yet to be made at the time, insiders confirmed that his presence at the gathering indicated his intention to join the ADC coalition.

Abubakar had reportedly been distant from activities of the ruling APC since the aftermath of the 2023 election and subsequent legal battles over the poll outcome. Observers say the move may position him to contest the Bauchi governorship again under the ADC platform in the 2027 elections.

Political analysts believe the defection reflects growing realignments within Nigeria’s political space as opposition parties attempt to build stronger coalitions ahead of the next general elections.

The opposition bloc in the Senate suffered a fresh political blow on Wednesday as three senators elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defecting lawmakers are Amos Yohanna, representing Adamawa North; Aminu Abba, representing Adamawa Central; and Ikra Aliyu Bilbis, representing Zamfara North.

Their letters of defection were read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

In their separate letters, the lawmakers cited the prolonged internal crisis rocking the PDP as the major reason for their decision to leave the party.

According to them, the unresolved leadership disputes and persistent factional divisions within the PDP had weakened the party’s unity and undermined its effectiveness as a political platform.

They further stated that the lingering crisis had created deep structural fractures within the party, affecting its national leadership and overall stability.

The senators said their decision came after wide consultations with political associates, stakeholders, and constituents, stressing that joining the ruling party would enable them to better align with the national agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

They also pointed to multiple court cases, leadership tussles, and growing factional battles within the PDP as factors that had created uncertainty about the party’s future.

With the latest defections, the PDP’s representation in the Senate has dropped sharply to 14 members, a significant decline from the 36 senators it had at the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023.

The APC has further consolidated its dominance in the upper legislative chamber, expanding its numbers from 59 at the start of the current assembly to 84 senators.

Other parties have also experienced shifts in their numbers. The Labour Party, which began with eight senators, currently has none, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) now has one senator, down from two.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), which started with two senators, currently has none, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) retains one seat.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which had no senator at the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, now has five members.

The newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) currently has one senator, Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West.

The total number of serving senators now stands at 106 out of the constitutionally required 109 seats.

The remaining vacancies are Nasarawa North, which became vacant following the death of Godiya Akwashiki; Enugu North, after the death of Okechukwu Ezea; and Rivers South East, which became vacant after the passing of Barinada Mpigi.