SaharaReporters confirmed with officials of the PDP in Ngwo Uno Ward, Udi Local Government Area, that Senator Ngwu formally resigned from the party.
Senator Osita Ngwu, the Minority Whip of the Nigerian Senate representing Enugu East, has come under scrutiny for continuing to occupy the office of Minority Whip despite resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and officially joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).
SaharaReporters confirmed with officials of the PDP in Ngwo Uno Ward, Udi Local Government Area, that Senator Ngwu formally resigned from the party.
Meanwhile, sources within the APC in Enugu State stated that he has registered as a member of the ruling party in his ward.
The Minority Whip position in the Senate is constitutionally and traditionally reserved for members of the opposition or minority caucus. Critics argue that Senator Ngwu’s continued occupancy of the seat violates international parliamentary norms and undermines the integrity of the Senate’s leadership structure.
Political observers have expressed concerns that by delaying an official announcement of his defection on the Senate floor, Senator Ngwu is effectively retaining the privileges and benefits of the Minority Whip office.
According to reports, he is set to collect these entitlements in the final week of February 2025 before formally declaring his defection publicly in early March.
“It is deeply troubling and disappointing that a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria could act in such a dishonest and fraudulent manner, effectively occupying the office of Minority Whip, an office meant solely for opposition members or the Minority Caucus, while engaging in deceptive tactics,” a source privy to the situation said.
“Senator Osita has refused to formally declare his resignation from the PDP on the floor of the Senate, seemingly to continue usurping the Minority Whip position.”
“By virtue of his resignation from the PDP in his ward and subsequent registration with the APC, he is no longer a member of the opposition or Minority Caucus, making his continued hold on the office highly irregular and improper,” the source added.
In an interview obtained by SaharaReporters, Senator Ngwu confirmed his defection to the APC. When asked about the move, he said, “Yes, I have moved to APC.”
Interviewer: So you moved to APC with the governor. Do you have any regrets about that?
Senator: Why would I have any regrets? You follow a leader that is doing well. If the governor is not doing well, people will not follow him.
When the interviewer asked if there had been a consensus to back Governor Peter Mbah as the sole candidate for the 2027 general election, Senator Ngwu replied, “I don't think that is negotiable. The worst thing that can happen to us is not having Governor Mbah return for a second time. If you see the massive infrastructure and the development he has put on the table, we need to complete it. The issue of Governor Mbah winning is a given.”
“It is quite despicable and worthy of condemnation that the Senate, as the apex lawmaking body in the country, could be indulging, encouraging, and effectively supporting such an anomaly and fraud,” the source said.
“Senator Osita Ngwu continues to manipulate the system, apparently aiming to collect the benefits due to the Minority Whip in the last week of February 2025.
“He is then expected to formally announce his resignation from the PDP on the Senate floor in the first week of March 2025, thereby maximizing the perks and privileges associated with the Minority Whip position. What an anathema. This is a role he has held for more than two years, fully enjoying all its benefits.”
Critics have called on the Senate leadership and the Minority Caucus to uphold global parliamentary standards, ensure the position of Minority Whip is occupied by a legitimate opposition member, and halt what they describe as “undemocratic manoeuvres” by Senator Ngwu.