Nigeria's House of Representatives witnessed another significant political shake-up on Thursday as 11 opposition lawmakers formally defected during plenary, with six crossing to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and five joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read the letters of defection, citing prolonged internal crises, factionalism, and leadership disputes in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Young Progressives Party (YPP) as the main reasons for the switches.
The announcements came just 24 hours after the PDP lost four members in the lower chamber to rival parties, further eroding the opposition's strength in the National Assembly.The six lawmakers who defected from the PDP to the APC are:
Hon. Bitrus Kwamoti
Hon. Zakaria Nyampa
Hon. James Barka
Hon. Kobis Thinmu (all from Adamawa State)
Hon. Mohammed Bargaja (Sokoto State)
Hon. Midala Balami (Borno State)
These defections continue to solidify the APC's commanding majority in the 360-seat House, where the party now holds well over two-thirds of seats following months of steady inflows from opposition benches.
Meanwhile, five lawmakers originally from the Labour Party (LP) and one from the YPP moved to the ADC, signaling growing momentum for the party as a potential opposition hub ahead of the 2027 elections:
Hon. Afam Ogene
Hon. Lilian Orogbu
Hon. Peter Aniekwe (Anambra State, ex-LP)
Hon. Jessy Onuakalusi (Lagos State, ex-LP)
Hon. Osaro Omoruyi (Edo State, ex-LP)
Hon. Peter Uzokwe (Anambra State, ex-YPP)
The ADC has increasingly positioned itself as an alternative for disillusioned politicians, especially after high-profile alignments involving figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former LP presidential candidate Peter Obi.
Deputy Speaker Kalu welcomed the new members to their respective parties, describing the APC as a "unifying platform committed to national progress" while noting the ADC's role in broadening political options.
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