The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Labour Party, LP, suffered fresh setbacks on Wednesday as two members of the House of Representatives, Okolie Lawrence and Akingbaso Olanrewaju, defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Lawrence representing Aniocha North/Aniocha South/Oshimili North/Oshimili South federal constituency of Delta State, left the LP, saying that his decision to join the APC would bring governance closer to his constituents.
In the same vein, Olanrewaju, who represents Idanre/Ifedore federal constituency of Ondo State, dumped the PDP, attributing his defection to a lingering internal crisis in the party.
The federal lawmaker said he was aligning himself with the APC’s ideology and the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
Meanwhile, his defection drew a protest from Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, who raised a point of order, arguing that there was no crisis in the PDP.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas acknowledged the objection but continued with legislative business.
The latest defections are part of a growing trend in the House, where several lawmakers have recently abandoned opposition parties for the APC.
The shift has further strengthened the ruling party’s influence in the lower chamber, raising concerns within opposition ranks.
Similar detections are being recorded in the Senate.
Apart from lawmakers, serving governors and other prominent politicians are also abandoning the opposition for the ruling party.
The development has led to concerns that Nigeria could become a one party state.
