A fresh round of political defections swept through Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday, underscoring intensifying realignments within the country’s political landscape as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The developments unfolded at the resumption of plenary following the Easter recess, where the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, formally read out multiple letters of defection from lawmakers crossing party lines. The announcements reflected a noticeable fluidity in party affiliations, with legislators shifting between both major and emerging political platforms.
Addressing concerns that the growing trend of defections could signal a drift toward a one-party system, Kalu dismissed such fears, framing the movement as evidence of a functioning democracy where political actors retain the freedom to associate.
“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,” he said during plenary.
One of the most prominent defections came from Lagos State, where Thaddeus Attah, representing the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, announced his departure from the Labour Party to join the African Democratic Congress. In his letter, Attah cited ongoing leadership crises within the Labour Party as the primary reason for his decision, noting that internal instability had hindered his ability to effectively serve his constituents.
The Peoples Democratic Party emerged as the most affected by the latest wave, losing five members in a single sitting. Among those who defected, Abubakar Abdul from Niger State switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress, while Yakubu Noma from Kebbi State moved to the ADC. Another Kebbi lawmaker, Ibrahim Mohammed, also joined the APC.
In Osun State, two lawmakers—Mudashiru Alani representing Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency and Adetunji Olusoji representing Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe—announced their exit from the PDP to the Accord Party.
Despite recording gains, the APC was not immune to losses. David Fuoh from Taraba State defected to the PDP, while Bashir Zubair from Kaduna State joined the ADC, illustrating the reciprocal nature of the ongoing political shifts.
Political defections have long been a recurring feature of Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly in the build-up to elections. With less than two years remaining before the 2027 polls, lawmakers appear to be recalibrating their political alignments in response to evolving realities within their parties and constituencies.
Analysts point to several factors driving the current wave, including unresolved leadership disputes, internal party fragmentation, and strategic calculations tied to electoral viability. Both the PDP and the Labour Party have been grappling with internal crises, which have weakened cohesion and prompted members to explore alternative platforms.
For many legislators, party affiliation is often guided by pragmatic considerations such as access to party structures, the likelihood of securing nominations during primaries, and alignment with influential political figures at both state and national levels. As such, defections are frequently less about ideological shifts and more about political survival and opportunity.
Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has maintained a dominant position in the House of Representatives, leveraging its numerical strength to shape legislative outcomes. However, opposition parties have continued to assert relevance through strategic defections, coalition-building, and efforts to consolidate their support bases.
The growing visibility of smaller parties, particularly the ADC, as beneficiaries of these defections signals a gradual broadening of Nigeria’s political space. While the APC and PDP remain the two dominant forces, the increasing movement toward alternative platforms suggests that the traditional two-party dominance may be facing subtle but notable challenges.
Observers believe that the pace of defections could accelerate in the coming months as political parties intensify internal restructuring and aspirants begin to position themselves ahead of party primaries. The period leading up to elections is typically characterised by heightened political manoeuvring, and the current trend appears consistent with that pattern.
Tuesday’s developments ultimately reinforce a familiar reality within Nigeria’s legislative environment: party loyalty is often fluid, especially when electoral stakes are high. Lawmakers, mindful of the competitive nature of elections, continue to adapt their affiliations in pursuit of political advantage.
Meanwhile, the House adjourned plenary until Wednesday as a mark of respect for the late Kano lawmaker, Hassan Danjuma, who passed away on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66. His death cast a somber note over the day’s proceedings, even as political activity within the chamber intensified.
As Nigeria edges closer to another election cycle, the unfolding pattern of defections offers a glimpse into the shifting dynamics that will likely shape the contest for power in 2027.
A fresh round of political defections swept through Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday, underscoring intensifying realignments within the country’s political landscape as preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
The developments unfolded at the resumption of plenary following the Easter recess, where the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, formally read out multiple letters of defection from lawmakers crossing party lines. The announcements reflected a noticeable fluidity in party affiliations, with legislators shifting between both major and emerging political platforms.
Addressing concerns that the growing trend of defections could signal a drift toward a one-party system, Kalu dismissed such fears, framing the movement as evidence of a functioning democracy where political actors retain the freedom to associate.
“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,” he said during plenary.
One of the most prominent defections came from Lagos State, where Thaddeus Attah, representing the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, announced his departure from the Labour Party to join the African Democratic Congress. In his letter, Attah cited ongoing leadership crises within the Labour Party as the primary reason for his decision, noting that internal instability had hindered his ability to effectively serve his constituents.
The Peoples Democratic Party emerged as the most affected by the latest wave, losing five members in a single sitting. Among those who defected, Abubakar Abdul from Niger State switched allegiance to the All Progressives Congress, while Yakubu Noma from Kebbi State moved to the ADC. Another Kebbi lawmaker, Ibrahim Mohammed, also joined the APC.
In Osun State, two lawmakers—Mudashiru Alani representing Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency and Adetunji Olusoji representing Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe—announced their exit from the PDP to the Accord Party.
Despite recording gains, the APC was not immune to losses. David Fuoh from Taraba State defected to the PDP, while Bashir Zubair from Kaduna State joined the ADC, illustrating the reciprocal nature of the ongoing political shifts.
Political defections have long been a recurring feature of Nigeria’s democratic process, particularly in the build-up to elections. With less than two years remaining before the 2027 polls, lawmakers appear to be recalibrating their political alignments in response to evolving realities within their parties and constituencies.
Analysts point to several factors driving the current wave, including unresolved leadership disputes, internal party fragmentation, and strategic calculations tied to electoral viability. Both the PDP and the Labour Party have been grappling with internal crises, which have weakened cohesion and prompted members to explore alternative platforms.
For many legislators, party affiliation is often guided by pragmatic considerations such as access to party structures, the likelihood of securing nominations during primaries, and alignment with influential political figures at both state and national levels. As such, defections are frequently less about ideological shifts and more about political survival and opportunity.
Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has maintained a dominant position in the House of Representatives, leveraging its numerical strength to shape legislative outcomes. However, opposition parties have continued to assert relevance through strategic defections, coalition-building, and efforts to consolidate their support bases.
The growing visibility of smaller parties, particularly the ADC, as beneficiaries of these defections signals a gradual broadening of Nigeria’s political space. While the APC and PDP remain the two dominant forces, the increasing movement toward alternative platforms suggests that the traditional two-party dominance may be facing subtle but notable challenges.
Observers believe that the pace of defections could accelerate in the coming months as political parties intensify internal restructuring and aspirants begin to position themselves ahead of party primaries. The period leading up to elections is typically characterised by heightened political manoeuvring, and the current trend appears consistent with that pattern.
Tuesday’s developments ultimately reinforce a familiar reality within Nigeria’s legislative environment: party loyalty is often fluid, especially when electoral stakes are high. Lawmakers, mindful of the competitive nature of elections, continue to adapt their affiliations in pursuit of political advantage.
Meanwhile, the House adjourned plenary until Wednesday as a mark of respect for the late Kano lawmaker, Hassan Danjuma, who passed away on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66. His death cast a somber note over the day’s proceedings, even as political activity within the chamber intensified.
As Nigeria edges closer to another election cycle, the unfolding pattern of defections offers a glimpse into the shifting dynamics that will likely shape the contest for power in 2027.
