A new wave of defections has hit the House of Representatives, with six lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced the moves during Thursday’s plenary session after reading letters from the individual legislators. The five defectors from Enugu State and one from Plateau State cited “irreconcilable differences” and internal divisions within their former parties as the reasons for switching allegiance to the APC.
The lawmakers who changed parties are 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 Speaker officially welcomed them into the APC amid cheers from APC members in the chamber.
This development marks another significant shift in the National Assembly’s political landscape. Several PDP and LP legislators have previously defected to the APC, citing instability and factionalism in their former parties. The defections come amid a broader realignment across the country, especially 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 moved from the PDP to the APC—and APC National Chairperson Nentawe Yilwatda were present in the chamber to observe the proceedings.
Since the 2023 general elections, the PDP and LP have been plagued by internal instability. The PDP faces factional disputes in several states, while the LP is embroiled in a leadership crisis between National Chairperson Julius Abure and the faction led by Nenadi Usman. The latest defections are likely to exacerbate these challenges, potentially altering the balance of power in the National Assembly and influencing the political dynamics of the upcoming elections.
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