Summary: Twelve members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have defected to the APC and ADC, signaling major political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. Get the full details here.
The National Assembly is witnessing another round of political musical chairs as twelve members of the House of Representatives have officially dumped their political parties, heightening fears about party loyalty and internal stability as Nigeria heads towards the 2027 general elections.
In what many political watchers are calling a significant realignment, six lawmakers have abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while five others moved from the Labour Party and PDP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). One additional lawmaker left the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the ADC.
The Defectors: Who Crossed the Floor?
From PDP to APC
The list of lawmakers who made the jump from Nigeria’s main opposition party to the ruling party includes:
– James Barka (Adamawa State)
– Kwamoti Bitrus Laori (Adamawa State)
– Zakaria Nyampa (Adamawa State)
– Kobis Thimnu (Adamawa State)
– Midala Balami (Borno State)
– Mohammed Bargaja (Sokoto State)
To the ADC
Five lawmakers chose the African Democratic Congress as their new political home:
– Afam Victor Ogene (Anambra State)
– Peter Aniekwe (Anambra State)
– Lilian Orogbu (Anambra State)
– Jessey Onakalusi (Lagos State)
– Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (Edo State)
More Defections on Wednesday
The drama didn’t stop there. During Wednesday’s plenary session, additional lawmakers switched allegiance:
To APC:
– Garba Inuwa (Gombe State)
– Abdullahi El-Rasheed (Gombe State)
– Mohammed Audu (Taraba State)
– Joshua Obika (Federal Capital Territory)
To Accord Party:
– Adewale Adebayo (Osun State) – left PDP
Five More Waiting in the Wings
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session and announced the defections, revealed that five additional lawmakers have submitted letters expressing their intention to leave their current parties. However, their letters were not officially read because the lawmakers were absent from the chamber during the session.
According to Kalu, the reasons cited in these pending defection letters mirror those previously given by other defecting lawmakers. The House will only make the announcements official when the concerned members are physically present on the floor.
What This Means for Nigerian Politics
This wave of defections raises serious questions about party discipline and loyalty in Nigeria’s political landscape. With the 2027 general elections still years away, many Nigerians are already wondering: what’s driving these movements?
Political analysts suggest several possible reasons:
– Better positioning for re-election tickets
– Access to resources and federal patronage under the ruling party
– Internal party crises and dissatisfaction
– Strategic repositioning ahead of 2027
Growing Concerns About Party Stability
The continuous movement of lawmakers from one party to another has intensified concerns about internal party stability across Nigeria’s political spectrum. Critics argue that these defections undermine democratic principles and betray the trust of voters who elected these lawmakers under different party platforms.
Opposition parties, particularly the PDP and Labour Party, are feeling the heat as they watch their members troop to other parties. For the APC, these defections represent a consolidation of power, though critics question whether these gains are built on solid political ideology or mere opportunism.
As Nigeria marches towards another election cycle, one thing is clear: the political landscape is shifting, and party loyalty appears to be a currency that many lawmakers are willing to trade for perceived greener pastures.
What do you think about these defections? Do lawmakers have the right to switch parties after being elected? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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