The wave of defections rocking opposition parties in the National Assembly of Nigeria has boosted the strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to about 268 members in the House of Representatives of Nigeria.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC), which previously had only one member — Joseph Leke Abejide — now has seven lawmakers following the defection of six members to the party during plenary on Thursday.
At the inauguration of the 10th House on June 23, 2023, the APC had about 181 members, while opposition parties controlled 179 seats, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) holding about 115 members.
By the close of plenary on Thursday, the PDP lost another six lawmakers, reducing its strength in the House to 49 members.
The Labour Party, which also lost members to the ADC, now has 14 representatives remaining. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) also has 14 members, although there are indications that some lawmakers may soon defect.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) retains five members, while the Social Democratic Party (SDP) has two. Accord, which had no seat at inauguration, now has one member, while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) currently has no representation.
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At Thursday’s plenary, 12 lawmakers changed political parties, with indications that five others may soon defect either to the APC or the ADC.
Six of the defectors moved from the PDP to the APC, while five lawmakers left the Labour Party and PDP for the ADC. One member also defected from the YPP to the ADC.
Those who joined the APC include James Barka (Adamawa), Kwamoti Bitrus Laori (Adamawa), Zakaria Nyampa (Adamawa), Kobis Thimnu (Adamawa), Midala Balami (Borno) and Mohammed Bargaja (Sokoto).
Lawmakers who defected to the ADC are Afam Victor Ogene (Anambra), Peter Aniekwe (Anambra), Lilian Orogbu (Anambra), Jessey Onakalusi (Lagos) and Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (Edo).
The latest defections have heightened concerns about party stability in the run-up to the 2027 general elections.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over plenary, disclosed that some other members had written to the leadership notifying them of their intention to dump their current parties
He, however, said that the letters and destination of the members will not be disclosed in their absence.
While announcing the defectors’ names, Kalu said their stated reason for defecting was the same as others who had left, but noted the House was maximising time and therefore would not read the letters.
He, however, said that the lawmakers’ letters would only be read when they are on the floor of the House and not in their absence.
During Wednesday’s plenary, Garba Inuwa and Abdullahi El-Rasheed from Gombe andMohammed Audu (PDP-Taraba), Joshua Obika (LP-FCT) defected to the APC, while Adewale Adebayo (PDP-Osun) defected to the Accord Party.
