A wave of defection hit the Green Chamber as 17 lawmakers dumped ADC for the fast-emerging NDC, while one member defected to the APC
A fresh wave of defections swept through the House of Representatives on Tuesday, reshaping the opposition landscape as 17 lawmakers abandoned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the fast-emerging Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while one member defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over plenary, formally read the letters of defection, underscoring a growing political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The sole defector to the APC, Leke Abejide, represents Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State. Although his move had been disclosed earlier, it was officially communicated on the floor of the House during Tuesday’s sitting.
Abejide attributed his decision to lingering internal crises within the ADC, pointing to unresolved legal battles, leadership uncertainty, and what he described as deliberate attempts to stifle his political ambitions. His exit further highlights deepening divisions within the party.
The 17 lawmakers who crossed over to the NDC include Datti Umar (Kano), Harris Okonkwo (Anambra), Sani Wakili (Kano), Attah Thaddeaus (Lagos), George Ozodinobi (Anambra), Orogbu Obiageli (Anambra), Seyi Sowunmi (Lagos), Peter Aniekwe (Anambra), Mukhtar Zakari (Kaduna), George Olawande (Lagos), Omoruyi Murphy (Edo), Manuchim Umezuruike (Rivers), Emeka Idu (Anambra), Jessie Onuakalusi (Lagos), Ifeanyi Uzokwe (Anambra), Afam Ogene (Anambra), and Abdulhakeem Ado (Kano).
Many of the defectors had only recently joined the ADC but due to the defection by key political figures such as former presidential candidate Peter Obi, who joined ADC in December 2025 and Rabiu Kwankwaso in March 2026, they have now moved to the NDC which is rapidly positioning as a potential third-force contender.
Obi, who confirmed his exit on Sunday, cited “endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division” within the ADC as reasons for his departure.
He also alleged external interference, claiming that destabilising forces within the Nigerian state, previously linked to crises in the Labour Party, had begun infiltrating the ADC, further compounding its internal troubles.
The latest defections signal a significant shift within Nigeria’s opposition bloc, with the NDC rapidly consolidating strength as political actors reposition ahead of 2027.
