A new wave of defections has unsettled the House of Representatives, with several lawmakers switching parties as part of early preparations for the 2027 general elections. When plenary resumed after the Easter recess, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu announced the defections by reading letters on the floor, highlighting intensifying political realignments across party lines. He sought to ease concerns that the trend might signal a drift toward a one‑party system, framing it instead as a reflection of democratic choice. “This is to show the country that no party is stifled. People are leaving the majority party to the minority parties and the minority parties to the majority party. This is the beauty of democracy,” Kalu said.
One of the most prominent defections came from Lagos, where Eti‑Osa lawmaker Thaddeus Attah left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress, citing “the protracted crisis in the leadership of the LP” as the reason his ability to serve constituents was hampered. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recorded the highest number of losses, with five members departing its ranks. Among them, Abubakar Abdul from Niger State moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Yakubu Noma from Kebbi joined the ADC. Another Kebbi representative, Ibrahim Mohammed, also defected to the APC. In Osun State, Mudashiru Alani (Ayedire/Iwo/Ola‑Oluwa) and Adetunji Olusoji (Odo‑Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe) exited the PDP for the Accord Party. The APC likewise lost two members: Taraba’s David Fuoh switched to the PDP, and Bashir Zubair from Kaduna defected to the ADC, underscoring the fluid nature of the shifts.
Party defections are common in Nigeria, especially as elections approach. With less than two years until the 2027 polls, lawmakers are recalibrating their affiliations based on internal party crises, electoral strategy, and regional interests. Ongoing leadership disputes—particularly within the PDP and Labour Party—have fueled the latest wave of defections, as parties reposition themselves ahead of primary elections. For many legislators, decisions on party alignment hinge on re‑election prospects, influence within party structures, and connections to key political blocs.
Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has retained majority control in the House, while opposition parties continue to seek strength through alliances and defections. The growing appeal of smaller parties like the ADC suggests a gradual shift away from the long‑standing dominance of the APC and PDP. Observers believe defections could increase in the coming months as parties finalize internal arrangements and aspirants begin testing their support bases before primaries. Tuesday’s developments once again highlight a recurring trend in Nigeria’s legislature—party loyalty remains flexible, particularly when election stakes are high.
The House later adjourned its sitting to Wednesday in honour of Kano lawmaker Hassan Danjuma, who passed away on 10 April 2026 at the age of 66.
Comments are closed for this story.