A new wave of defections has hit the House of Representatives, as six lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defections were announced by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during Thursday’s plenary session, after reading letters from the individual lawmakers.
The five lawmakers from Enugu State and one from Plateau State cited “irreconcilable differences” and internal divisions within their former parties as reasons for their decision to switch allegiance to the APC. Those who defected include Daniel Ago (LP, Plateau), Chidi Obetta (PDP, Enugu), Anayo Onwuegbu (PDP, Enugu), Dennis Agbo (PDP, Enugu), Martins George (PDP, Enugu), and Nnaji Nnolim (PDP, Enugu).
The defectors were officially welcomed into the APC by the Speaker, amidst cheers from APC members in the chamber. This latest development marks another significant shift in the political landscape of the National Assembly, with several lawmakers from the PDP and LP having previously defected to the APC citing instability and factionalism in their former parties.
The defections come at a time of renewed political realignment across the country, particularly in the South-east, where the APC is seeking to strengthen its presence and expand its base ahead of the 2027 general elections. Notably, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC, and APC National Chairperson Nentawe Yilwatda were present in the chamber to observe proceedings.
The PDP and LP have been experiencing internal instability since the 2023 general elections, with the PDP battling factional disputes in several states and the LP plagued by a leadership crisis between its National Chairperson Julius Abure and the faction led by Nenadi Usman. The latest defections are likely to further exacerbate these challenges, potentially altering the balance of power in the National Assembly and influencing the political dynamics of the upcoming elections.
