The Nigerian House of Representatives has witnessed another significant wave of defections as lawmakers continue to abandon their political parties, citing unresolved internal crises and political divisions.
During the plenary on Tuesday, the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, read several notices of defection on the floor, confirming the shift of allegiance by multiple legislators across party lines.
Six members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while two lawmakers from the Labour Party (LP) joined the PDP.
The PDP-to-APC defectors include Victor Nwokolo, representing the Ika North East/Ika South Federal Constituency of Delta State; Julius Pondi, representing the Burutu Federal Constituency; and Thomas Ereyitomi, representing the Warri North/Warri South/Warri West Federal Constituency.
Others are Nicholas Mutu, a long-serving lawmaker representing the Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency; Ukodhiko Jonathan, representing Isoko North/Isoko South; and Ezechi Nnamdi, a first-term member representing the Ndokwa/Ukwuani Federal Constituency.
From LP to PDP, the defectors are Obetta Chidi, representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Enugu State and Dennis Agbo, representing Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency of Enugu State.
The defectors cited deep-rooted factional crises and protracted internal disputes within their former parties, which they claimed had hindered their ability to effectively represent their constituents and deliver on campaign promises.
They maintained that their decisions were made in consultation with and with the support of their respective constituencies.
The defection of PDP lawmakers from Delta State mirrors the recent political shift by Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who also moved from the PDP to the APC.
This latest development adds to a growing list of recent defections in the House. On October 2, 2024, Chris Nkwonta (Ukwa East/Ukwa West, Abia) defected from the PDP to the APC, followed by Sulaiman Abubakar (Gummi/Bukkuyum, Zamfara) on October 30. On December 5, four LP members and one PDP lawmaker also joined the ruling APC.
In February 2025, Amos Magaji (Kaduna) and Garba Koko (Kebbi) also left the PDP for the APC. On March 18, Jallo Mohammed (Igabi, Kaduna) and Adamu Tanko (Gurara/Suleja/Tafa, Niger) followed suit. On March 27, Clara Nnabuife (Orumba North/South, Anambra) left the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), citing exclusion from party activities.
Analysts say the continuing stream of defections reflects broader dissatisfaction and disunity within opposition parties, particularly the PDP and LP, and could significantly reshape the political landscape in the build-up to the next general election.
