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Twelve members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have announced their defection from their political parties, signaling growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Of the 12 lawmakers, six left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while five moved from the Labour Party and PDP to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Another lawmaker defected from the Young Progressives Party to the ADC.
The PDP-to-APC defectors include James Barka, Kwamoti Bitrus Laori, Zakaria Nyampa, and Kobis Thimnu from Adamawa State, Midala Balami from Borno State, and Mohammed Bargaja from Sokoto State. Those joining the ADC include Afam Victor Ogene, Peter Aniekwe, and Lilian Orogbu from Anambra State, Jessey Onakalusi from Lagos State, and Murphy Osaro Omoruyi from Edo State.
The defections were announced during plenary by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session. Kalu also noted that five other lawmakers had submitted letters indicating their intention to leave their parties, though their destinations were not disclosed because they were absent during the session. He added that the House would officially read the letters only when the lawmakers are present.
During the same plenary, additional party switches occurred: Garba Inuwa and Abdullahi El-Rasheed from Gombe State, Mohammed Audu from Taraba State, and Joshua Obika representing the Federal Capital Territory joined the APC. Adewale Adebayo from Osun State left the PDP for the Accord Party.
These defections have heightened concerns over internal party instability as Nigeria approaches the next election cycle.
