Mass Defection Hits Nigerian House of Representatives as 27 Lawmakers Realign Across Major Party Lines

Mass defection in Nigeria's House of Representatives as 27 lawmakers join APC, ADC, and others, citing internal crises within their original political parties.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 5:52 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP News

Legislative Exodus Reshapes the Lower Chamber

The Nigerian House of Representatives witnessed a major political realignment on Tuesday as no fewer than 27 lawmakers officially announced their defections to various political platforms. The wave of departures affected nearly every major party, with members shifting from the ruling All Progressives Congress to the opposition and vice versa. This mass movement was formalized through separate letters read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during a plenary session. The scale of the defections suggests a significant restructuring of legislative power dynamics as representatives seek more stable or influential platforms ahead of future electoral cycles.

Kano Delegation Leads Shift to Ruling Party

The most concentrated movement occurred within the Kano State delegation, where a large group of lawmakers abandoned the New Nigerian Peoples Party for the ruling APC. High-profile defectors include Deputy Minority Leader Aliu Madaki, alongside colleagues Ghali Tijjani Mustapha, Shehu Bello, and Dankawu Idris. This specific shift was attended by notable political figures, including Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin. The transition of these influential figures from the NNPP to the APC highlights a consolidation of power by the ruling party in the North West region, potentially altering the balance of opposition influence in the House.

Opposition Blocs Face Internal Fragmentation

The Peoples Democratic Party also suffered notable losses as several members from various states resigned to join the APC. Lawmakers from Taraba, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Adamawa, including Jaafaru Yakubu and Sadiq Abbas Tafida, cited persistent internal friction as the primary driver for their departure. This trend was not limited to the ruling party's gain, as other opposition members moved toward alternative platforms like the African Democratic Congress and Accord. For instance, representatives from Osun State dumped the PDP for Accord, while others from Anambra and Lagos moved from the Labour Party to the ADC, signaling a growing interest in third-party alternatives.