No fewer than 17 members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), citing internal leadership crises rocking their former party.
The defections were formally announced during plenary through separate letters read by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session.
According to the lawmakers, the lingering instability within the ADC made their continued membership untenable, prompting their decision to seek political alignment elsewhere.
The development follows a similar move by prominent political figures, including the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who recently defected from ADC to NDC, also citing internal party disputes.
Among the lawmakers who moved to the NDC are Hon. Yusuf Datti, Hon. Sani Wakil, Hon. Mukthar Zakari, and Hon. Abdulhakeem Ado, all representing constituencies in Kano State.
From Anambra State, the defectors include Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo, Hon. George Ozodinobi, Hon. Obiageli Orogbu, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, Hon. Emeka Idu, Hon. Peter Uzokwe, and Hon. Afam Ogene.
Also joining the NDC are Hon. Thaddeus Achef, Hon. Oluwaseun Sowumi, Hon. George Oluwande, and Hon. Jessy-Okey Onuakalusi from Lagos State, alongside Hon. Murphy Omoruyi (Edo) and Hon. Munachin Alozie (Abia).
In a related development, Hon. Leke Abejide from Kogi State defected from the ADC to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ruling on the matter, Kalu acknowledged the defections and wished the lawmakers well in their future political pursuits, noting that such movements remain part of Nigeria’s democratic process.
The wave of defections is expected to alter the political dynamics within the lower chamber, as the NDC strengthens its ranks amid ongoing realignments ahead of future electoral contests.
