Nigeria’s lower legislative chamber witnessed a major political shift as an ADC mass defection saw 17 members of the House of Representatives move to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, with one lawmaker joining the All Progressives Congress. The announcements were made during plenary, marking one of the largest single-day defections in recent months. Lawmakers cited internal crises within the African Democratic Congress as the primary reason for their exit. The development signals rising political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC mass defection reflects ongoing instability within Nigeria’s opposition parties. Political actors have continued to reposition ahead of upcoming electoral cycles. Party loyalty remains fluid as lawmakers respond to internal disputes and shifting alliances.
The African Democratic Congress had recently attracted high-profile politicians. However, internal disagreements have affected its cohesion across various levels. Reports of unresolved crises from national to ward structures have persisted.
At the same time, the Nigeria Democratic Congress has emerged as a growing political platform. It continues to attract lawmakers and political stakeholders seeking new alignment opportunities.
During plenary, no fewer than 17 lawmakers formally announced their defection. They moved from the African Democratic Congress to the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
The lawmakers submitted separate letters to the House. They attributed their decision to “unresolved crises from the national to ward levels” within the ADC. Among the defectors is Yusuf Umar Datti, representing Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam constituency. He said internal instability made it difficult to serve constituents effectively.
Harris Okonkwo, representing Idemili North and South, also confirmed his exit. He said the decision followed “wide consultations with political stakeholders and constituents.” Other lawmakers who joined the NDC include Sani Adamu, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, and Lilian Obiageli. Additional names span constituencies across Kano, Lagos, Anambra, Edo, and Rivers states.
In a related move, Leke Abejide defected from the ADC to the APC. His switch further underscores the scale of the political shift. The Speaker of the House acknowledged the letters during plenary. He wished the defecting lawmakers well in their new political platforms.
The ADC mass defection is expected to alter party dynamics within the House. Minority party strength may shift as lawmakers realign. For political stakeholders, the development highlights the impact of internal party stability. Weak institutional structures can drive large-scale defections.
For emerging parties like the NDC, the influx of lawmakers strengthens political visibility. It may also improve their legislative influence ahead of elections. For voters and constituents, frequent defections raise concerns about representation continuity. It also reflects broader uncertainty within Nigeria’s party system.
