A new round of defections shook the House of Representatives on Tuesday, with lawmakers switching parties in what many see as early moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
When plenary resumed after the Easter recess, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu announced multiple defections through letters read on the floor, pointing to increasing political realignments across parties.
He downplayed fears that the trend suggests a drift toward a one-party system, saying it instead reflects democratic choice.
“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 to the majority party. This is the beauty of democracy,” Kalu said.
One key defection came from Lagos, where Eti-Osa lawmaker Thaddeus Attah left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress.
He blamed his move on “the protracted crisis in the leadership of the LP,” noting that it had affected his ability to serve constituents effectively.
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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, recorded the highest number of losses, with five members leaving its ranks.
Among them, Niger lawmaker Abubakar Abdul moved to the All Progressives Congress, while Yakubu Noma from Kebbi joined the ADC. Another Kebbi representative, Ibrahim Mohammed, also defected to the APC.
In Osun, Mudashiru Alani (Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa) and Adetunji Olusoji (Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe) exited the PDP for the Accord Party.
The APC also lost two members, as Taraba’s David Fuoh switched to the PDP, while Bashir Zubair from Kaduna defected to the ADC, underlining the back-and-forth nature of the political shifts.
Party defections are common in Nigeria, especially as elections draw closer. With less than two years to the 2027 polls, lawmakers are adjusting their affiliations based on internal party crises, electoral strategy, and regional interests.
Ongoing leadership disputes particularly within the PDP and Labour Party have contributed to the latest movements, as parties reposition ahead of primary elections.
For many lawmakers, decisions on party alignment often depend on re-election chances, influence within party structures, and connections to key political blocs.
Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has retained majority control in the House, while opposition parties continue to seek strength through alliances and defections.
The growing appeal of smaller parties like the ADC suggests a slow shift away from the long-standing dominance of the APC and PDP.
Observers believe defections could increase in the coming months as political parties finalize their internal arrangements and aspirants begin testing their support base before primaries.
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Tuesday’s developments once again highlight a recurring trend in Nigeria’s legislature party loyalty remains flexible, particularly when election stakes are high.
The House later adjourned sitting to Wednesday in honour of Kano lawmaker Hassan Danjuma, who passed away on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66.
