Seventeen members of the House of Representatives have defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). The defection notices were read by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu during Tuesday's plenary session. The lawmakers represent 17 constituencies across Nigeria and include Yusuf Datti (Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam, Kano), Harris Okonkwo (Idemili North/Idemili South, Anambra), Sani Adamu (Minjibir/Ungogo, Kano), Thaddeus Attah (Eti-Osa, Lagos), George Ozodinobi, deputy minority whip (Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia, Anambra), Lilian Obiageli (Awka North/Awka South, Anambra), and Oluwaseyi Sowunmi (Ojo, Lagos). Others are Peter Anekwe (Anambra East and West, Anambra), Zakari Mukhtari (Tarauni, Kano), George Olawande (Amuwo Odofin, Lagos), Murphy Omroruyi (Egor/Ikpoba Okha, Edo), Umezuruike Manuchim (Port-Harcourt I, Rivers), Emeka Idu (Onitsha North/South, Anambra), Jese Onuakalusi (Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos), Ifeanyi Uzokwe (Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo, Anambra), Afam Ogene (Ogbaru, Anambra), and Kamilu Ado (Wudil/Garko, Kano).
Leke Abejide, representing Yagba federal constituency in Kogi, moved from ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmakers cited leadership and legal crises within their former parties as reasons for the defections. The green chamber has seen multiple defections since the beginning of the year, ahead of the 2027 general election. On Sunday, Peter Obi, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in 2023, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former governor of Kano, defected from ADC to NDC. Both politicians have urged their supporters to join NDC.
Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso now lead a party they joined just days after its formation, despite earlier backing a different platform. Seventeen sitting lawmakers followed their move, abandoning ADC amid internal crises they did not previously act to resolve. Their swift switch suggests loyalty lies more with political figures than party structures. Nigerians named in the defection list must now explain to their constituents why stability in their party failed so suddenly.
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