At least 17 members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have defected from the African Democratic Congress to the Nigerian Democratic Congress, in the latest sign of deepening instability within opposition politics.
The defections were announced during Tuesday’s plenary by the deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who read out the names of the lawmakers on the floor of the Green Chamber.
In letters submitted to the House, the legislators cited “unresolved crises” within the ADC as the driving force behind their decision to switch allegiance.
Those who crossed over include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike. Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Murphy Omroruyi and Abdulhakeem Ado.
The move comes against the backdrop of a broader political realignment, as internal tensions and organisational disputes continue to unsettle the ADC. Party insiders have described the disagreements as corrosive to cohesion, fuelling an exodus that could reshape opposition dynamics before the next general election.
In recent weeks, high-profile figures including former presidential candidate Peter Obi and ex-Kano governor Rabiu Kwankwaso have also aligned with the NDC, in what observers see as a calculated attempt to consolidate a more stable platform ahead of 2027.
Obi said his decision followed “deep reflection” on the state of the nation, arguing that his move was not driven by personal ambition but by a desire to contribute more effectively to national development. He warned that persistent internal disputes within political parties risked distracting from governance at a time of mounting economic and social pressures.
Kwankwaso, alongside Obi, is reported to have urged supporters to prioritise unity over litigation and factional battles, framing the emerging coalition as a vehicle for stability in an increasingly fragmented political landscape.
