The House of Representatives witnessed a significant political shift on Tuesday as 18 lawmakers formally announced their exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
In a wave of defections that dominated the plenary session, 17 members transitioned to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while one prominent member joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defectors cited deep-seated internal crises within the ADC, ranging from the national leadership down to the ward levels, as the primary motivation for their departure.
The mass movement was led by a diverse group of legislators from Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, and Rivers states.
Reading their letters of resignation on the House floor, lawmakers such as Yusuf Umar Datti (Kano) and Harris Okonkwo (Anambra) emphasized that lingering instability within the ADC had become a barrier to effective representation.
Okonkwo noted that the move followed “wide consultations” with stakeholders, reflecting a calculated strategic realignment aimed at securing political stability ahead of future legislative cycles.
Among the high-profile names joining the NDC are Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi, Thaddeus Attah, and Afam Ogene, alongside a significant contingent from the Anambra and Kano delegations.
The sweep of defections effectively hollows out the ADC’s presence in several key federal constituencies. In a separate but equally notable move, Leke Abejide, representing the Yagba Federal Constituency, broke from the group to join the ruling APC, further depleting the ADC’s numerical strength in the lower chamber.
The Speaker of the House officially acknowledged the letters, following parliamentary tradition by wishing the defectors well in their new parties.
However, the mass exit sparked immediate debate among colleagues regarding the health of Nigeria’s multi-party system.
Some lawmakers expressed growing concern over the trend of “party-hopping,” suggesting that the recurring instability within smaller political platforms is driving a consolidation toward larger parties as the 2027 general elections begin to loom on the horizon.
This development is expected to drastically alter the balance of power among the minority caucuses in the House of Representatives. With the ADC’s standing significantly diminished, the NDC has instantly bolstered its influence as a rising force within the National Assembly.
Political analysts suggest that this migration may trigger further realignments in the coming months as lawmakers seek more stable platforms to fulfill their legislative agendas.
