Kenneth Okonkwo, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declared on Wednesday that Nigeria’s National Assembly is “dead” after Senate President Godswill Akpabio called the ADC opposition coalition “dead” during a plenary session.
Akpabio’s remark came on the heels of a wave of defections that saw several ADC lawmakers join other parties. In response, Okonkwo told Arise Television that the ADC remains a progressive party and that the only “dead institution” in the country is the National Assembly, which he said is under the leadership of a “dead Senate President.”
“The only dead institution in Nigeria is the National Assembly that is supervised by the dead Senate President, Godswill Akpabio,” Okonkwo said. “You can imagine a man who is over‑citing the president, who has three budgets running at the same time, and he does not have the light in him to talk about the sufferings of Nigerians, yet what he knows how to talk about is the ADC. The only thing there is the National Assembly under Akpabio.”
The exchange highlights the ongoing tension between the ADC and the ruling coalition in the Senate. The ADC, formed in 2005, positions itself as a progressive alternative in Nigeria’s multiparty system. Its leadership has frequently criticized what it perceives as legislative paralysis and partisan bias in the National Assembly.
Akpabio, who assumed the Senate presidency in June 2023, has faced criticism from opposition parties over perceived partisanship and his handling of legislative business. The recent defections have intensified scrutiny of the Senate’s effectiveness and the broader functionality of Nigeria’s bicameral legislature.
No official response from the Senate or from Akpabio has been reported as of this writing. The ADC’s statement may influence upcoming parliamentary debates, particularly those related to budgetary allocations and governance reforms. Observers note that the dispute could impact party alliances ahead of the next general elections, where both the ADC and the ruling party will vie for voter support.
