PDP LOSES FIVE REPS, APC LOSES TWO AS NEW DEFECTIONS ROCK HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

A fresh wave of defections rocked the House of Representatives on Tuesday, as lawmakers changed party affiliations in what is widely viewed as early positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.

At the resumption of plenary after the Easter recess, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu announced several defections via letters read on the floor, highlighting growing political realignments across party lines.

He, however, dismissed concerns that the development signals a move toward a one-party system, insisting it reflects the exercise of democratic freedom of choice.

Kalu said the trend demonstrates that no political party is being suppressed, noting that lawmakers are moving both from majority to minority parties and vice versa, which he described as a hallmark of democracy.

One notable defection occurred in Lagos, where Eti-Osa representative Thaddeus Attah left the Labour Party to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

He attributed his decision to the prolonged leadership crisis within the Labour Party, saying it had hindered his effectiveness in representing his constituents.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered the highest number of defections, losing five members.

Among them, Niger lawmaker Abubakar Abdul defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Yakubu Noma from Kebbi moved to the ADC. Another Kebbi lawmaker, Ibrahim Mohammed, also joined the APC.

In Osun State, Mudashiru Alani (Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa) and Adetunji Olusoji (Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe) left the PDP for the Accord Party.

The APC also recorded losses, as David Fuoh from Taraba defected to the PDP, while Bashir Zubair from Kaduna switched to the ADC, highlighting the reciprocal nature of the political realignments.

Party defections are a familiar feature of Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly as elections approach. With less than two years to the 2027 general elections, lawmakers are realigning based on internal party disputes, electoral calculations, and regional considerations.

Persistent leadership crises, especially within the PDP and Labour Party, have fueled the latest wave of movements as parties reposition ahead of their primaries.

For many legislators, party affiliation decisions are often influenced by their chances of re-election, their standing within party structures, and their ties to influential political blocs.

Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has maintained its majority in the House, while opposition parties continue to explore alliances and defections to strengthen their ranks.

The increasing attraction to smaller parties like the ADC points to a gradual shift from the long-standing dominance of the APC and PDP.

Analysts expect defections to rise in the coming months as parties conclude internal arrangements and aspirants begin gauging support ahead of primaries.

Tuesday’s events once again underscore a recurring pattern in Nigeria’s legislature, where party loyalty often remains fluid, especially as elections draw near.

The House later adjourned plenary to Wednesday in honour of Kano lawmaker Hassan Danjuma, who died on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66.