Abba Moro, the senate minority leader, has warned that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) risks undermining Nigeria’s democracy, likening the party to an overloaded boat midstream amid a wave of defections.
Moro spoke during plenary following the defection of Barinada Mpigi and Allwell Onyesoh, who represent Rivers South-East and Rivers East, respectively, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC. The defections were witnessed by APC leaders and members who were admitted into the chamber after the senate suspended its rules.
Reacting after plenary resumed, Moro described the development as a threat to democratic balance, arguing that sustained defections weaken opposition politics. “In view of what has just happened, I want to say my colleagues on this part of the aisle who have moved have exercised their rights to associate as they wish,” he said. “Let me say here, like I have said before, that when you overload a boat midstream, the possible consequence is the load capsizing.
“Mr President, I think that when people move, they should have the courage to move with this conviction and not to give the impression of the imminent collapse of the PDP or the opposition.
“You know, in our tradition, you can’t beat a child and ask him not to cry. I find it a little unfortunate that the leader of the senate is congratulating himself and his party on the dangerous drift of Nigeria’s democracy. I want to insist that this is not good for democracy.”
Godswill Akpabio, the senate president, interjected and asked Moro to “restrict” himself “to the business of the day.” Moro continued: “Contrary to the impression, I want to insist that this side of the aisle has not collapsed. We will continue to work for the interest of Nigeria on this part of the aisle.”
Moro’s remarks drew objections from Barau Jibrin, who said the minority leader breached senate rules. “What the minority leader just said were his personal opinions,” Jibrin said. “He ought to have come under Order 42. All that he said is in violation of our rules.”
Agreeing with the objection, Akpabio said the protest did not comply with senate rules, noting that the defection letters had earlier been read and deferred before being taken again ahead of the day’s main business. “What Moro did is invalid,” Akpabio said. He added, however, that expressions of dissatisfaction should not be suppressed, referencing Moro’s remark that “If you beat a child, you don’t stop him from crying”.
Earlier, Mpigi and Onyesoh attributed their defections to internal divisions within the PDP at the national level. The defections reduced the PDP’s representation in the senate from 26 to 24, while increasing the APC’s seats from 75 to 77.
