The defecting lawmakers moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
A fresh wave of defections swept through the National Assembly on Thursday as twelve members of the House of Representatives and nine senators formally announced their departure from their political parties to join new platforms, further reshaping the country’s legislative political landscape.
In the House of Representatives, the defections were announced during plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who read letters from the lawmakers informing the chamber of their decisions.
The defecting lawmakers moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Most of the lawmakers cited internal crises in their former parties and the need to pursue political alignments they believe would better serve their constituencies.
Lawmakers Move to APC
Among those who joined the APC were four lawmakers from Adamawa State who defected from the PDP: Rep. James Barka, Rep. Laori Bitrus, Rep. Zakaria Nyampa and Rep. Kobis Thimnu.
Also moving to the ruling party were Rep. Midala Balami from Borno State and Mohammed Bargaja from Sokoto State, both of whom also left the PDP.
Their defections further strengthen the APC’s numerical dominance in the lower chamber as opposition lawmakers continue to cross over to the ruling party.
ADC Attracts New Members
In a separate set of defections, several lawmakers moved to the ADC.
From Anambra State, Rep. Peter Uzokwe left the YPP to join the party, while three lawmakers— Rep. Afam Ogene, Rep. Peter Aniekwe and Rep. Lilian Orogbu—dumped the Labour Party for the ADC.
Similarly, Rep. Jessey Onakalusi from Lagos State and Rep. Murphy Osaro from Edo State also left the Labour Party for the ADC.
The development is considered significant as it marks one of the first instances a serving member of the House has formally announced a defection to the ADC during plenary.
Eight Lawmakers Yet to Confirm
Kalu also informed the House that eight other lawmakers had submitted notices of defection but were absent from the chamber to personally confirm their decisions.
Those listed include Hassan Hussein, Tijani Khali, Muhammed Shehu and Uchenna Okonkwo.
The deputy speaker noted that the lawmakers must appear before the House to formally affirm their defections and clarify the parties they intend to join.
Earlier Defections in the House
The latest development comes barely a day after five other lawmakers defected from the PDP and Labour Party to the APC and the Accord Party.
Those who joined the APC include Garba Inuwa, representing Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency of Gombe State; Abdullahi El-Rasheed, representing Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency of the same state; Mohammed Audu, representing Karim Lamido/Lau/Ardo-Kola Federal Constituency of Taraba State; and Joshua Obika, representing Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory.
While Inuwa, El-Rasheed and Audu left the PDP, Obika defected from the Labour Party.
Separately, Adewale Adebayo, representing Irepodun/Olorunda/Oshogbo/Orolu Federal Constituency of Osun State, resigned from the PDP and joined the Accord Party.
Nine Senators Join ADC
Meanwhile, the Senate also witnessed a major political shift as nine senators from different political parties announced their defection to the ADC.
The letters of defection were read during plenary by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
The senators include Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South), Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Lawal Usman (Kaduna Central), Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South), Austin Akobundu (Abia Central), and Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory).
In his letter, Senator Umeh said his decision followed the leadership crisis rocking the Labour Party.
“I have taken this decision after wide consultations with my family, constituents and supporters, in view of the lingering divisions in the leadership and unending litigations pervading the Labour Party in Nigeria,” he said.
Onawo said his defection was motivated by his commitment to strengthening democratic values and good governance.
Usman, in his letter, explained that he resigned from the PDP after consultations with his constituents and political supporters.
Similarly, Nwoye attributed his exit to internal disputes and multiple litigations affecting the Labour Party.
Akpabio Reacts
Reacting after reading the letters, Akpabio welcomed the senators to their new party but rejected suggestions that the APC was responsible for the wave of defections.
“Deputy Senate President and Leader of the Senate, I hope you noticed that I have read defections from three different political parties now. So, you cannot accuse the ruling party of tampering with their leadership,” he said.
“Here, we have APGA, Labour, SDP and others. So, all of them have a problem. They’ve not been able to put their parties together. The APC cannot be blamed for this.”
He added that the defecting lawmakers were seeking to strengthen minority representation in the chamber.
Senate Composition Changes
Following the defections, the composition of the Senate now stands at: APC with 85 seats, ADC with nine seats, PDP with eight seats, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), National Democratic Coalition (NDC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) hold one seat each.
The Senate currently has 106 serving members, with three seats vacant following the deaths of Barinada Mpigi of Rivers South-East, Godiya Akwashiki of Nasarawa North and Okey Ezea of Enugu North.
The latest defections underscore the continuing political realignments within Nigeria’s legislature as parties reposition ahead of future electoral contests.
