A new round of defections has rocked the House of Representatives, with six lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Labour Party, LP, announcing their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, on Thursday.
The Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, announced the defections during Thursday’s plenary session after reading individual letters submitted by the lawmakers.
Five defectors are from Enugu State, while one represents Plateau State.
Those who switched allegiance to the APC are Daniel Ago (LP, Plateau), Chidi Obetta (PDP, Enugu), Anayo Onwuegbu (PDP, Enugu), Dennis Agbo (PDP, Enugu), Martins George (PDP, Enugu), and Nnaji Nnolim (PDP, Enugu).
In their letters to the speaker, the lawmakers cited “irreconcilable differences” and internal divisions within their former parties as reasons to join the APC.
After the announcement, the defectors were led to the Speaker’s seat, where they were officially received and welcomed into the ruling party amid cheers from APC members in the chamber.
The development represents another wave of defections to the APC in recent weeks, highlighting the party’s continued consolidation of influence within the National Assembly.
Several lawmakers from the PDP and LP had earlier switched allegiance to the ruling party, citing instability and factionalism in their former political platforms.
Their defection also comes at a time of renewed political realignment across the country, especially in the South-east, where the APC has been intensifying efforts to strengthen its presence and expand its political base ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Notably, Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah and APC National Chairperson, Nentawe Yilwatda, were ushered into the chamber to observe proceedings on Thursday.
Mr Mbah recently moved from the PDP to the APC.
The defections also come amid growing signs of internal instability within the PDP and LP following the 2023 general elections.
The PDP has continued to battle factional disputes across several states, while the LP has been plagued by a leadership crisis between its National Chairperson, Julius Abure, and the faction led by Nenadi Usman.
