BREAKING: 12 House of Representatives Members Defect in Major Political Realignment, Six Join ADC
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ABUJA, NIGERIA – Twelve members of the House of Representatives (Nigeria) announced their defection from their respective political parties during plenary, marking a significant political shift within the National Assembly.
The announcement was made by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who informed lawmakers that six members moved from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, while another six lawmakers from the Young Progressives Party and Labour Party (Nigeria) joined the African Democratic Congress. Ejes Gist News reports that the defections represent one of the most notable legislative realignments in the current parliamentary session.
PDP Lawmakers Move to APC
During the plenary session, Kalu formally welcomed the first group of defectors from the PDP to the APC, beginning with Hon. Bamisele Komolufe Beatrice Lowery.
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Announcing the defection, the Deputy Speaker stated that the lawmaker had submitted a notice of political realignment and was now a member of the ruling party.
Other PDP lawmakers identified among those defecting to the APC include Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara and Hon. Zakari Dauda Nyampa. Addressing Betara’s move, Kalu described the decision as a public and courageous step to join the governing party.
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The Deputy Speaker added that additional PDP members also submitted formal notices of defection, bringing the total number of lawmakers moving from the opposition party to the APC to six.
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Opposition Lawmakers Join ADC
In a parallel development, six lawmakers from opposition platforms announced their decision to join the African Democratic Congress.
Among them was Hon. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe, who moved from the Young Progressives Party to the ADC. Kalu formally notified the chamber of the development, confirming that the lawmaker had submitted a written notice of defection.
Several lawmakers elected under the Labour Party banner also joined the ADC, including Hon. Bright Iyamu Jesse Oke Onakpasa. Another lawmaker, Hon. Shuaib Abiola Sowunmi, was listed among those moving to the ADC but was not present in the chamber at the time of the announcement.
List of Lawmakers Who Submitted Defection Notices
The Deputy Speaker acknowledged the following lawmakers whose letters of defection were received by the House:
From PDP to APC
- Hon. Bamisele Komolufe Beatrice Lowery
- Hon. Muktar Aliyu Betara
- Hon. Zakari Dauda Nyampa
- Three additional lawmakers listed in the notification
From YPP and Labour Party to ADC
- Hon. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe
- Hon. Shuaib Abiola Sowunmi
- Hon. Bright Iyamu Jesse Oke Onakpasa
- Hon. Mohammed Inuwa Bassi
- Hon. Murphy Osaro Omoruyi
- Hon. Jafaru Yakubu
Additional lawmakers whose notices were acknowledged during the session include Prince Sadiq Abbas Tafida, Victor Afam Ogene, Kafilat Ogbara, Peter Udo Udofia, Professor Obi Lilian Orogbu, Barrister Mohammed Bello Shehu, Dankawu Idris, Hassan Shehu Hussaini, Muhammad Ghali Tijjani, and Jimbo Ibrahim.
House Procedure on Defections
Kalu clarified that the House would not read resignation letters in the absence of the lawmakers concerned, noting that parliamentary procedure requires members to be present before such announcements are ceremonially confirmed.
According to the Deputy Speaker, letters submitted in advance are treated as received but formal recognition is made when the lawmaker appears in the chamber.
Political Implications
The defections are expected to influence the balance of power within the House and could reshape party alignments ahead of future electoral cycles. Analysts say the movement of several lawmakers to the African Democratic Congress also reflects increasing competition among opposition parties for legislative influence.
The Deputy Speaker described the development as evidence of an evolving political landscape within the country’s parliamentary system, noting that the House would formally recognise the defecting lawmakers once all procedural requirements are completed.
