By Patrick Idowu
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has said the opposition in the Senate has dwindled from nearly 50 members to about four or five senators.
Akpabio made the claim on Thursday while speaking at the All Progressives Congress (APC) national caucus meeting in Abuja.
According to him, some of the remaining opposition lawmakers have privately indicated their readiness to defect to the ruling APC.
“When we came in, the opposition had almost 50 members, but today when I counted, there were about four or five left. Even those have whispered to me that they are prepared to join the APC,” he said.
The Senate President urged party leaders to ensure equal treatment for defectors, warning against discrimination within the party.
He added that he did not favour a completely one-party Senate, explaining that some senators who had defected at the state level were allowed to remain in the minority caucus to avoid empty opposition benches.
Akpabio also commended President Bola Tinubu for facilitating the release of over 100 children recently kidnapped in Niger State and prayed for the safe rescue of those still in captivity.
He further condoled families of victims, including security personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.
