BREAKING: Defection Storm Rocks ADC, Akpabio Mocks As 17 Reps, 2 Senators Join Peter Obi’s NDC, APC And LP
The House of Representatives today Tuesday witnessed a wave of defections as no fewer than 17 lawmakers formally announced their exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during plenary, citing internal crises within their former party
In the Senate, Senators Victor Umeh and Abaribe formalised their defection to NDC and Labour Party LP respectively.
Peter Obi, leading opposition figure in Nigeria, on Sunday joined NDC from ADC along with former Kano Governor Musa Kwankwaso.
The Reps defectors, who cut across Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo and Rivers states, read separate letters on the floor of the House, attributing their decision to what they described as “unresolved crises from the national to ward levels” in the ADC.
Among those who defected is Yusuf Umar Datti, representing Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam Federal Constituency of Kano State, who said the lingering instability within the ADC had made it difficult to effectively serve his constituents.
Similarly, Harris Okonkwo, who represents Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, said the decision was taken after “wide consultations with political stakeholders and constituents.”
Other lawmakers who moved from ADC to NDC include Sani Adamu (Minjibir/Ungogo, Kano); Thaddeus Attah (Eti-Osa, Lagos); Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi (Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia, Anambra); Lilian Obiageli (Awka North/Awka South, Anambra); and OluwaSeyi Sowunmi (Ojo, Lagos).
Also among the defectors are Peter Anekwe (Anambra East/West); Zakari Umar Mukhtari (Tarauni, Kano); George Olawande (Amuwo Odofin, Lagos); Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (Egor/Ikpoba-Okha, Edo); Umezuruike Manuchim (Port Harcourt I, Rivers); Emeka Idu (Onitsha North/South, Anambra); and Jesse Onuakalusi (Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos).
Others include Ifeanyi Uzokwe (Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo, Anambra); Afam Ogene (Ogbaru, Anambra); and Kamilu Ado (Wudil/Garko, Kano).
In a related development, Leke Abejide, representing Yagba Federal Constituency, also announced his defection from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reacting to the mass defections, some lawmakers expressed concern over the growing trend of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that party instability remains a recurring factor driving defections in the National Assembly.
The Speaker acknowledged the letters and wished the defecting lawmakers well in their new political parties, in line with parliamentary tradition.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, joked that the African Democratic Congress was effectively dead following the fresh wave of defections that saw lawmakers move en masse to other political parties, including the Nigerian Democratic Congress and the Labour Party.
Akpabio made the remark while presiding over plenary, shortly after the Senate formally announced the defection of lawmakers, including Victor Umeh, who joined the NDC, citing internal crises and “unending litigation” within the ADC.
Akpabio also read a defection letter from Enyinnaya Abaribe, noting his movement across parties in recent years.
“Note that Senator Abaribe has moved from APGA to ADC, and now he has moved from ADC to Labour Party,” he said, before joking that future announcements would no longer be read individually.
“Resignation from ADC and declaration for Labour Party. Maybe all those defecting from ADC should just compile everything in one paper and bring, so that we don’t keep announcing, announcing, announcing. Because I think ADC is dead,” Akpabio said, drawing reactions in the chamber.
He continued in a lighter tone, questioning the frequency of political defections by lawmakers.
“How many times can you defect in a month? Once. But some have done it three times,” he laughed. “So that it doesn’t look like a daily ritual. If you are defecting from Labour, you write all of you. If you are moving from ADC, you write all of you. If you are entering NDC, you write all of you.”
