Senate Minority Whip Osita Ngwu, Aliyu Wadada Defect to APC

The political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections intensified on the floor of the Senate as the Senate Minority Whip representing Enugu West, Osita Ngwu, officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal crises within his former party.

His defection letter was formally read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, confirming his exit from the opposition caucus and entry into the ruling party.

In a similar development, Senator Aliyu Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, also announced his defection from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the APC. His decision further strengthens the ruling party’s numerical advantage in the upper chamber.

Following Ngwu’s departure, the Senate announced Senator Tony Nwoye as the new Minority Whip, marking an immediate reshuffle within the opposition leadership structure in the chamber.

The defections add to the growing wave of political defections in Nigeria’s Senate as lawmakers continue to reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 elections. Analysts say the trend reflects internal crises within opposition parties and the increasing consolidation of power by the APC.

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With the latest defections, the APC has further strengthened its numerical advantage in the Senate, continuing a pattern of steady gains from opposition parties, particularly the PDP and SDP.

Political observers say the development underscores a broader shift in Nigeria’s legislative politics, where lawmakers are increasingly aligning with the ruling party ahead of election cycles.

In a related development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu forwarded a ministerial nominee, Muttaqha Darma, to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

The President also requested the confirmation of Lamido Yuguda as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a key institution responsible for monetary policy and financial stability.

The requests were read by the Senate President and subsequently referred to the Committee of the Whole for legislative consideration.

The latest defections and executive nominations come amid heightened political activity in the National Assembly as parties reposition for the 2027 general elections. Analysts warn that continued defections could weaken opposition parties further and reshape legislative balance, potentially giving the APC even greater control over lawmaking and political negotiations.

As the election season approaches, more realignments are expected across both chambers of the National Assembly.

Senate Minority Whip Osita Ngwu, Aliyu Wadada Defect to APC

2027: Mass Defections Hit PDP and NNPP as Lawmakers Join APC, ADC

The wave of defections ahead of the 2027 general elections has intensified in the House of Representatives, as six lawmakers elected on the platforms of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Peoples Democratic Party officially dumped their parties for the ruling All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress.

The latest realignment, announced during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, comes less than 24 hours after a similar political shift in the chamber, underscoring rising instability and shifting loyalties within Nigeria’s lower legislative house.

NNPP Lawmakers Dump Party for ADC

Four lawmakers from Kano State elected on the NNPP platform announced their defection to the ADC, citing internal leadership disputes and prolonged factional crises within the party.

Leading the group, Adamu Wakili, representing Minjibir/Ungogo Federal Constituency, said his decision was driven by “persistent leadership crisis in the NNPP resulting in internal divisions,” adding that he needed a platform that guarantees inclusion and stability.

Other defectors include Umar Zakari, Umar Datti, and Abdulhakeem Ado, all from Kano State. The lawmakers said unresolved disputes at both state and national levels of the NNPP had made their continued membership untenable.

Their move further boosts the ADC’s growing presence in the National Assembly, especially as the party continues to absorb dissatisfied politicians from smaller opposition blocs.

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PDP Loses Lawmakers to APC

In a separate development, two lawmakers elected on the PDP platform also announced their exit.

Ahmadu Kabiru, representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, defected from the PDP to the APC, citing “irreconcilable differences” within the opposition party. He said his decision was also influenced by his support for the federal government’s policy direction under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Similarly, Chinedu Martins, representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte/Mbaise Federal Constituency in Imo State, confirmed his defection from the PDP to the APC, stating that his alignment with the ruling party had been in place at the ward level since March 2026.

APC Strengthens Dominance in House of Reps

With the latest defections, the APC has further consolidated its dominance in the House of Representatives, increasing its numerical strength to about 282 seats.

The PDP has now been reduced to about 30 seats, reflecting a sharp decline in its parliamentary influence.

The ADC has emerged as a fast-growing third force with 24 seats, largely benefiting from defections by disaffected opposition lawmakers. Other parties in the chamber include the Labour Party with 10 seats, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with five, Accord Party with four, and both the Action Peoples Party (APP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) holding two seats each. The NNPP is now left with only one seat.

Political Implications for 2027 Elections

Political analysts say the ongoing defections reflect broader 2027 election realignments in Nigeria, driven by internal crises in opposition parties, leadership disputes, and strategic positioning ahead of the next general elections.

The APC’s continued control of federal power has made it an attractive destination for lawmakers seeking political stability and re-election support, while the ADC is increasingly becoming a refuge for opposition politicians unwilling to join the ruling party but eager to exit troubled platforms.

Observers warn that if the trend continues, opposition parties may struggle to mount a coordinated challenge in 2027, especially if internal disputes remain unresolved.

As the election cycle draws closer, more defections are expected, further reshaping the balance of power in Nigeria’s National Assembly.

2027: Mass Defections Hit PDP and NNPP as Lawmakers Join APC, ADC

Supreme Court Reserves Judgment in ADC Leadership Dispute

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has reserved judgment in a high-stakes appeal filed by David Mark, the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), against Nafiu Bala, a former deputy national chairman of the party, deepening uncertainty over the party’s leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.

Justice Lawal Garba, who led a five-member panel, announced that judgment would be delivered on a later date after lawyers for all parties adopted their final written addresses for and against the appeal.

At the centre of the dispute is Mark’s request for the apex court to stay the execution of a March 12 ruling by the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his earlier appeal over the leadership tussle.

The appellate court, in a judgment delivered by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, upheld a preliminary objection raised by Bala, ruling that Mark’s appeal was incompetent as it introduced issues not contained in the original decision of the trial court.

The legal battle traces back to a September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which declined to grant injunctive reliefs sought in an ex-parte application filed by Bala—effectively setting the stage for the protracted litigation.

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The leadership crisis, which began as an internal transition dispute within the ADC in mid-2025, has since escalated into a full-blown legal confrontation involving multiple court rulings and regulatory intervention by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a significant development, INEC on April 1 withdrew recognition from both the Mark-led and Bala-led factions, citing a subsisting Court of Appeal order to maintain the status quo ante bellum. The electoral body stated it would not engage with any faction until a final judicial pronouncement is made, effectively leaving the party without a recognised national leadership.

This development has raised serious concerns about the ADC’s readiness for the 2027 general elections, as political parties are required to maintain recognised leadership structures to participate in electoral processes, including candidate nominations and congresses.

The Mark-led faction continues to defend its legitimacy, arguing that it emerged through due process based on decisions of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). The group cites the July 29, 2025 ratification of a caretaker leadership and provisions within the party’s constitution—particularly Articles 13, 17(3), and 17(4)—which it says empower the NEC to administer the party and fill leadership vacancies when necessary.

It also maintains that eligibility requirements, including the two-year membership rule under Article 9(4), were lawfully waived through NEC resolutions to support coalition-building efforts ahead of the political cycle.

Additionally, the faction points to its earlier recognition by INEC in September 2025, as well as its conduct of congresses and a national convention held on April 14, as evidence of its legitimacy.

On the other hand, Bala’s camp insists that the processes leading to Mark’s emergence violated party rules and legal procedures, arguing that the courts have already affirmed the invalidity of the claims.

Legal analysts say the Supreme Court’s eventual ruling will be decisive, not only in determining the authentic leadership of the ADC but also in clarifying the limits of internal party powers versus judicial oversight in political party disputes in Nigeria.

With judgment now reserved, both factions—and the wider political community—await a verdict that could redefine the future of the ADC and its role as a potential opposition platform in the lead-up to 2027.

Supreme Court Reserves Judgment in ADC Leadership Dispute