Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly on June 12, 2023, the political landscape in Nigeria’s legislature has shifted dramatically. Initially, the All Progressives Congress (APC) held 59 Senate seats against 50 for opposition parties, requiring cross-party negotiation for critical national decisions.

As of December 20, 2025, APC has expanded its Senate presence to 78 out of 108 members, surpassing the two-thirds threshold needed for constitutional amendments, presidential veto overrides, impeachment, and approval of states of emergency. Opposition parties have seen significant declines: PDP 24, APGA 2, LP 1, NNPP 1, SDP 1, and ADC 1.

The expansion of APC’s numbers was driven by defections, deaths, and court rulings affecting opposition senators. Key defections from PDP and LP in 2025, alongside the death of LP Senator Okey Ezea, contributed to the current configuration.

A similar consolidation has occurred in the House of Representatives, where APC now holds 240 of 360 seats, also crossing the two-thirds threshold.

The Senate continues to operate on a simple majority for routine matters, but APC’s supermajority gives it unprecedented leverage on sensitive national issues, raising questions about minority oversight and the balance of power in Nigeria’s democracy.

As APC’s dominance grows, observers note that the party’s numerical advantage could either strengthen governance or threaten democratic pluralism, depending on how legislative power is exercised.