Unprecedented Takeover: Dynamics And Implications Of APC’s Dominance Of The National Assembly
Abuja, Nigeria — Nigeria’s political landscape has entered a new and controversial phase as the All Progressives Congress (APC) tightens its grip on the 10th National Assembly (NASS), sparking widespread debate over legislative independence, democratic balance, and the future of opposition politics in the country.
What analysts now describe as an “unprecedented takeover” has been driven by a steady wave of defections from opposition parties, strategic leadership control, and alignment between the legislature and the executive arm led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who assumed office on May 29, 2023.
The APC emerged from the February 25, 2023, general elections without an outright constitutional majority in the National Assembly. However, by late 2024 through 2025, the ruling party had consolidated dominance through a combination of defections, internal crises within opposition parties, and political realignments.
As of December 2025, APC effectively controls leadership and decision-making in both chambers:
- Senate President: Godswill Akpabio (APC, Akwa Ibom)
- Deputy Senate President: Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North)
- Speaker, House of Representatives: Tajudeen Abbas (APC, Zaria)
- Deputy Speaker: Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia)
Key committees — including Appropriations, Finance, Defence, Petroleum, and Electoral Matters — are also chaired predominantly by APC lawmakers, further cementing the party’s influence.
The ruling party’s numerical strength was significantly boosted by defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Prominent defectors include:
- Senator Ifeanyi Ubah (Anambra South), who moved from YPP to APC in October 2023
- Several PDP members of the House of Representatives citing “internal party instability” as reasons for crossing over in 2024 and 2025
The PDP, Nigeria’s main opposition party, has been particularly weakened by prolonged leadership crises, court cases, and factional disputes between allies of Atiku Abubakar, Nyesom Wike, and the party’s national leadership.
Political observers note that the current National Assembly is one of the most aligned with the executive in Nigeria’s democratic history.
Since its inauguration on June 13, 2023, the 10th NASS has swiftly approved:
- Major executive bills
- Ministerial nominations
- Key loan requests
- Defence and security appropriations
While APC lawmakers argue that the cooperation ensures stability and rapid governance, critics insist that the legislature’s oversight role has been weakened.
According to Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim, a political scientist and Senior Fellow at the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), “A legislature dominated by one party without a strong opposition risks becoming an extension of the executive rather than a check on power.”
The dominance of the APC in the National Assembly carries far-reaching implications:
1. Weak Legislative Oversight
With minimal resistance, executive proposals face little scrutiny, raising fears of unchecked borrowing, policy errors, and fiscal indiscipline.
2. Marginalisation of Opposition Voices
Opposition lawmakers complain of exclusion from key debates and committee leadership, limiting their ability to influence legislation.
3. Electoral Reform Risks
Controversial decisions, such as the refusal to criminalise vote-buying at party primaries, have intensified concerns that legislative reforms may prioritise party interests over democratic integrity.
4. Pre-2027 Political Engineering
Analysts warn that APC’s legislative control could be used to shape laws and institutions ahead of the 2027 general elections, potentially tilting the playing field.
APC leaders have dismissed claims of democratic erosion. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, speaking in November 2025, said the Assembly’s cooperation with the executive should not be mistaken for weakness.
“We are not a rubber stamp National Assembly. We are partners in progress, committed to delivering dividends of democracy to Nigerians,” Akpabio said.
Similarly, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas has maintained that opposition lawmakers are given “ample opportunity” to contribute during plenary debates.
Civil society organisations, including Yiaga Africa and SERAP, have repeatedly warned that a legislature without robust opposition undermines democratic accountability.
In a statement dated December 18, 2025, Yiaga Africa cautioned that “democracy thrives on pluralism, debate, and institutional independence — not political dominance.”
As Nigeria approaches another electoral cycle, the APC’s overwhelming control of the National Assembly stands as both a symbol of political strength and a test of democratic maturity. Whether this dominance translates into effective governance or deepens concerns about authoritarian tendencies remains a defining question for Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.
One thing is clear: the balance of power in Abuja has shifted dramatically — and the consequences will shape Nigeria’s democracy for years to come
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