NNPP, PDP Lose Reps Members to APC, ADC as Defection Wave Deepens

By Folarin Adeyemi Aluko

The wave of defections sweeping through Nigeria’s House of Representatives has intensified, with six lawmakers abandoning the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress.

The latest development, announced during plenary on Wednesday, comes barely 24 hours after a similar round of defections, highlighting growing instability and shifting loyalties within the lower chamber as political actors reposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Presiding over the session, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read letters from defecting lawmakers, many of whom cited internal crises within their former parties as the driving force behind their decisions.

Four lawmakers from Kano State elected on the NNPP platform formally defected to the ADC. Leading the group, Adamu Wakili, who represents Minjibir/Ungogo Federal Constituency, pointed to persistent leadership disputes within the NNPP as making his continued stay in the party untenable.

According to his letter, the party’s internal divisions and lack of cohesion necessitated a move to a more stable political platform. Other lawmakers who made the switch from NNPP to ADC include Umar Zakari, Umar Datti, and Abdulhakeem Ado, all of whom echoed similar concerns about prolonged crises at both state and national levels of the party.

In a separate development, Ahmadu Kabiru, representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, resigned from the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences. He subsequently defected to the APC, aligning himself with the policies of the current administration.

Kabiru declared his intention to support what he described as the “transformative policies” of President Bola Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Similarly, Chinedu Martins, who represents Ahiazu/Ezinihitte/Mbaise Federal Constituency in Imo State, confirmed his defection from the PDP to the APC, revealing that he had effectively switched allegiance at the grassroots level as far back as March 2026.

The latest defections have further strengthened the APC’s dominance in the House of Representatives, with the ruling party now controlling 282 seats. The PDP trails significantly with just 30 members, marking a sharp decline in its legislative strength.

Meanwhile, the ADC is emerging as a notable third force with 24 seats, benefiting from the internal crises plaguing smaller opposition parties. Other parties hold minimal representation, with the Labour Party controlling 10 seats, the All Progressives Grand Alliance five, Accord Party four, while the Action Peoples Party and Social Democratic Party have two seats each.

The NNPP, once considered a rising political platform, has now been reduced to a single seat in the chamber.

Political analysts view the ongoing defections as part of broader strategic manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections. Nigeria’s political landscape has historically witnessed increased cross-carpeting as elections approach, with lawmakers seeking platforms that offer better prospects for re-election and political advancement.

Key factors driving the trend include internal party crises, leadership tussles, factional divisions, and weak organisational structures within opposition parties. Additionally, access to political resources and alignment with the ruling party at the federal level continue to influence decisions.

While the APC remains a major beneficiary due to its dominance at the centre, the ADC is increasingly positioning itself as an alternative platform for politicians seeking a middle ground outside the ruling party.

With the election cycle drawing closer, indications suggest that more defections could follow, further reshaping the balance of power within the House of Representatives and Nigeria’s broader political landscape.