At least eight members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have defected from their respective political parties, signalling fresh realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defections were formally announced during plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, following the House’s resumption after the Easter break.
The development saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lose five lawmakers, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded the exit of two members. The Labour Party (LP) also lost one lawmaker.
Providing context for the movement, Kalu said the trend reflects a functioning democratic system rather than a drift towards a one-party state.
“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 for the majority party. This is the beauty of democracy,” he stated.
Among the notable moves, Thaddeus Attah, representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos State, defected from the Labour Party to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing the party’s prolonged leadership crisis.
Other defections include:
Abubakar Abdul (PDP → APC)
Yakubu Noma (PDP → ADC)
Ibrahim Mohammed (PDP → APC)
In Osun State,
Mudashiru Alani and
Adetunji Olusoji
both defected from the PDP to the Accord Party.
Meanwhile,
David Fuoh moved from the APC to the PDP, while
Bashir Zubair defected from the APC to the ADC.
APC Retains Majority
Despite the wave of defections, the APC still maintains a numerical advantage in the House.
House Adjourns In Honour Of Late Lawmaker
The House subsequently adjourned plenary to Wednesday in honour of Hassan Danjuma, who passed away on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66.
The latest defections underscore ongoing political realignments as parties intensify preparations for the 2027 elections.
