By Our Correspondent
Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed another significant shift on Thursday as 12 members of the House of Representatives officially defected from their parties to new political platforms during plenary. The development highlights the growing instability within some opposition parties and signals ongoing political realignments ahead of future elections.
According to an announcement made on the floor of the House by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, six lawmakers defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while six others moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The defections were formally communicated through letters read during the plenary session.
Most of the lawmakers who switched parties were previously members of opposition parties, particularly the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party. In their letters, several lawmakers cited internal crises, leadership disputes, and divisions within their former parties as the major reasons behind their decisions to leave.
Political analysts say the wave of defections reflects ongoing strategic repositioning within Nigeria’s political class, especially as politicians begin to align themselves for the 2027 general elections. Such movements are not uncommon in Nigeria’s political system, where lawmakers often cross-carpet due to party conflicts or shifting political alliances.
The latest defections are also expected to strengthen the influence of the APC in the National Assembly, while the ADC appears to be gaining attention as an alternative platform for some opposition lawmakers seeking new political ground.
Overall, the development highlights continuing volatility within Nigeria’s party system, with defections increasingly shaping the balance of power in the legislature and potentially influencing the country’s political direction in the coming years.
