In a political climate where public confidence in the Senate is waning, six Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senators have broken through the noise, earning places among the nation’s 20 most impactful lawmakers.
The recognition comes from a nationwide public opinion poll by Congress Magazine Nigeria, released to mark the second anniversary of the 10th Senate under President Godswill Akpabio. The survey evaluated senators on legislative productivity, constituency development, and public engagement.
Despite 50% of respondents rating the Senate’s overall performance as merely “average” and 83.3% lamenting a lack of genuine representation, PDP senators were singled out for their visibility, advocacy, and commitment to public-interest issues.
The standout names include Senator Natasha Akpoti (Kogi Central), Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), Senator Abba Moro (Benue South), Senator Haruna Manu (Taraba Central), and Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe North).
Former Director-General of the PDP Governors’ Forum, Earl Osaro Onaiwu, hailed the achievement as a sign of the party’s enduring relevance in national governance.
“At a time when public trust in the Senate is dwindling, it is inspiring to see PDP senators breaking through with impactful representation. Their efforts, both in legislative debates and constituency development, deserve national acknowledgment,” he said.
The poll also showed that every respondent — 100% — believed the Senate often prioritises self-serving bills over the public good. Yet, senators like Abdul Ningi and Natasha Akpoti emerged not just as “most impactful” but also as “favourite senators,” signalling growing public trust and influence.
Political analysts say the recognition could energise the PDP bloc in the Red Chamber as the Senate moves into the second half of its term and attention gradually turns toward the 2027 elections.