House of Reps Hit by Massive Defections as PDP Loses Five Members

House of Reps Hit by Massive Defections as PDP Loses Five Members

Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed another round of realignments on Tuesday as members of the House of Representatives defected from major political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party (LP), in a move linked to internal party crises and preparations for the 2027 general elections.

During plenary after the Easter break, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu formally read out a series of defection letters, confirming shifts involving lawmakers across multiple constituencies. The development saw the PDP lose five members in a single sitting, while other parties also recorded gains and losses.

Kalu, however, dismissed concerns that the growing trend signals a drift toward a one-party state, arguing that the movements reflect constitutional political freedom.

“This is to show the country that no party is stifled. People are leaving the majority party to the minority parties and the minority parties for the majority party. This is the beauty of democracy,” he said.

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One of the notable defections was from Lagos State, where Thaddeus Attah of Eti-Osa Federal Constituency left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In his letter, he cited the ongoing leadership crisis within the LP as a key reason for his decision, saying it had hindered effective representation of his constituents.

The PDP recorded the most significant losses in the latest wave. Abubakar Abdul from Niger State defected to the APC, while Yakubu Noma from Kebbi State joined the ADC. Another lawmaker from Kebbi State, Ibrahim Mohammed, also moved to the APC.

In Osun State, Mudashiru Alani (Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa) and Adetunji Olusoji (Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe) exited the PDP for the Accord Party, further weakening the party’s presence in the lower chamber.

The APC also suffered setbacks, as David Fuoh from Taraba State defected to the PDP, while Bashir Zubair from Kaduna State joined the ADC, highlighting the two-way nature of political defections in Nigeria’s National Assembly.

The latest realignments have been largely attributed to unresolved leadership disputes within major opposition parties, particularly the PDP and LP, as well as strategic repositioning ahead of the 2027 elections.

Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has maintained numerical dominance in the House, while opposition parties continue to struggle with internal divisions, prompting frequent defections and coalition discussions.

Political analysts say the growing visibility of smaller parties such as the ADC signals a gradual reshaping of Nigeria’s political space, as lawmakers increasingly explore alternative platforms beyond the traditional APC–PDP rivalry.

The House adjourned plenary to Wednesday in honour of Kano lawmaker Hassan Danjuma, who passed away on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66.

House of Reps Hit by Massive Defections as PDP Loses Five Members