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Senators and Lawmakers Who Have Defected to NDC.
The political landscape in Nigeria is shifting dramatically. Following the high-profile defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a wave of lawmakers has abandoned the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other parties to join the emerging opposition coalition.
Ejes Gist News has compiled a comprehensive list of all federal lawmakers who have moved to the NDC, based on official announcements on the floor of the National Assembly.
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The Wave Begins: Obi and Kwankwaso Lead the Charge
The wave of defections began after the 2023 presidential candidates of the Labour Party (Obi) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (Kwankwaso) formally joined the NDC. Both men had briefly reunited with the ADC before making a strategic shift to the NDC, citing “unresolved internal crises” within the ADC.
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This move triggered a ripple effect, with loyalists and allies quickly following suit.
Full List: Lawmakers Who Have Defected to NDC
A total of 17 members of the House of Representatives officially defected to the NDC during plenary, with announcements made by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu.
All the lawmakers below defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the NDC.
| S/N | Lawmaker | Federal Constituency | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hon. Yusuf Umar Datti | Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam | Kano |
| 2 | Hon. Uchenna Harrison Okonkwo | Idemili North/Idemili South | Anambra |
| 3 | Hon. Sani Adamu Wakil | Minjibir/Ungogo | Kano |
| 4 | Hon. Thaddeus Attah Achef | Eti-Osa | Lagos |
| 5 | Hon. George Ozodinobi (Deputy Minority Whip) | Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia | Anambra |
| 6 | Hon. Obiageli Lilian Orogbu | Awka North/Awka South | Anambra |
| 7 | Hon. Oluwaseyi Sowunmi | Ojo | Lagos |
| 8 | Hon. Peter Aniekwe | Anambra East/West | Anambra |
| 9 | Hon. Mukthar Umar Zakari | Tarauni | Kano |
| 10 | Hon. George Oluwande | Amuwo Odofin | Lagos |
| 11 | Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi | Egor/Ikpoba-Okha | Edo |
| 12 | Hon. Munachin Manuchim Alozie | Port Harcourt I | Rivers |
| 13 | Hon. Emeka Idu | Onitsha North/South | Anambra |
| 14 | Hon. Jesse Okey Onuakalusi | Oshodi-Isolo | Lagos |
| 15 | Hon. Ifeanyi Peter Uzokwe | Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo | Anambra |
| 16 | Hon. Victor Afam Ogene | Ogbaru | Anambra |
| 17 | Hon. Abdulhakeem Kamilu Ado | Wudil/Garko | Kano |
Note: Hon. Leke Abejide (Yagba Federal Constituency, Kogi) also defected from the ADC during the same plenary but joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), not the NDC.
Senate Defectors to NDC
The upper chamber also witnessed significant movement. A total of three senators have joined the NDC, although not all came from the ADC.
| Senator | Senatorial District | State | Former Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sen. Victor Umeh | Anambra Central | Anambra | ADC |
| Sen. Rufai Hanga (Deputy Minority Whip) | Kano Central | Kano | NNPP |
| Sen. Seriake Dickson | Bayelsa West | Bayelsa | PDP |
Important Clarifications:
- Sen. Victor Umeh defected from the ADC to the NDC, citing “lingering divisions in the leadership and unending litigations” within his former party.
- Sen. Rufai Hanga left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to join the NDC.
- Sen. Seriake Dickson (former Bayelsa State Governor) had earlier aligned with the NDC on March 31, 2026, after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
- Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) also left the ADC but joined the Labour Party (LP), not the NDC.
Also Read:
BREAKING: Peter Obi Confirms Exit from ADC as Defection to NDC Looms, Kwankwaso Also Set to Leave
EXCLUSIVE: No Going Back – Why INEC Cannot Reverse NDC’s ‘Court Order’ Leadership (Full Story)
Current NDC Strength in the National Assembly
Following these defections, the NDC’s parliamentary strength now stands at:
| Chamber | Number of NDC Members |
|---|---|
| Senate | 3 senators |
| House of Representatives | 17 members |
Senate Breakdown (post-defection):
- APC: 88 senators
- ADC: 8 senators
- PDP: 4 senators
- NDC: 3 senators
- APGA: 1 senator
- Accord: 1 senator
- LP: 1 senator (Abaribe)
- Vacant: 4 seats
House Breakdown:
- PDP: 29 members
- NDC: 17 members
- Others: Various
Why the Defections?
The defecting lawmakers uniformly cited “internal crises,” “leadership disputes,” and “unending litigations” within the ADC as their reasons for leaving.
“The instability within the party structure has made it increasingly difficult for us to function effectively or serve our constituents under the platform.” — Excerpt from a defector’s letter read on the House floor.
Senator Victor Umeh similarly stated:
“The divisions within the leadership of the ADC have become deep-rooted and counterproductive. There have been unending litigations and reconciliation efforts, but these have not yielded the cohesion required for effective political engagement.”
What This Means for 2027
Political analysts view the coordinated defections as a strategic migration of political structures rather than isolated party switching. With the May 10, 2026 deadline set by INEC for political parties to submit membership registers ahead of the 2027 general election, further defections are expected.
The key question remains: Will the NDC consolidate as the main opposition platform capable of challenging the APC in 2027?
Stay with Ejes Gist News for ongoing coverage of Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
Editor’s Note— Reporting based on National Assembly plenary announcements on May 5, 2026, and verified from multiple sources.
