PDP Loses Five Reps, APC Two in Fresh Wave of Defections

By Folarin Adeyemi Aluko

A new wave of defections has swept through Nigeria’s House of Representatives, with multiple lawmakers switching party affiliations in what analysts describe as early political positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development unfolded on Tuesday as plenary resumed after the Easter break, with Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu reading out a series of defection letters on the floor of the House. The announcements highlighted growing fluidity within Nigeria’s political landscape, as lawmakers continue to realign across party lines.

Addressing concerns over the implications of the trend, Kalu dismissed fears that the defections could signal a drift toward a one-party system. Instead, he described the movement as a reflection of democratic freedom.

According to him, lawmakers are moving both from majority to minority parties and vice versa, underscoring what he termed the “beauty of democracy” in allowing political choice and flexibility.

One of the most notable defections came from Lagos State, where Thaddeus Attah, representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, dumped the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In his defection letter, Attah cited the protracted leadership crisis within the Labour Party as a major factor behind his decision, noting that internal instability had hindered effective representation of his constituents.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged as the biggest casualty of the latest round, losing five members in the House. However, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) also recorded losses, highlighting the two-way nature of the shifting alliances.

Among those who left the APC are David Fuoh from Taraba State, who defected to the PDP, and Bashir Zubair from Kaduna State, who joined the ADC. Their exits further reinforce the growing appeal of smaller parties like the ADC, which appear to be benefiting from the ongoing political recalibration.

Political observers say the emergence of alternative parties as beneficiaries of defections could signal a gradual diversification of Nigeria’s political space, long dominated by the APC and PDP. The trend, they note, may intensify in the coming months as parties consolidate their internal structures and aspirants begin to test their popularity ahead of primary elections.

Defections have long been a recurring feature of Nigeria’s political system, particularly as election cycles draw closer. With less than two years to the 2027 polls, lawmakers are increasingly adjusting their affiliations based on internal party disputes, electoral prospects, and shifting regional dynamics.

The current wave is partly driven by lingering leadership crises within major parties, especially the PDP and Labour Party, as well as strategic calculations by politicians seeking favorable platforms for re-election.

For many legislators, party loyalty often remains secondary to political survival—shaped by access to party structures, influence within power blocs, and alignment with key stakeholders at both state and national levels.

Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has maintained a numerical advantage in the House. However, opposition parties continue to jostle for relevance through defections, alliances, and coalition-building efforts.

In a related development, 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.

Tuesday’s defections reaffirm a familiar reality in Nigeria’s legislature—where party lines remain fluid and political loyalties are often reshaped by the demands of an evolving electoral landscape.