Fresh political movement don hit the House of Representatives Nigeria as 11 opposition lawmakers dump their parties join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The development come barely 24 hours after the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lose four members earlier to rival parties.
During plenary on Thursday, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu announce the new defections, explain say the main reason na the internal crisis wey still dey disturb many opposition parties.
Lawmakers wey join APC
Six lawmakers wey contest under PDP platform don move join APC. Dem include:
Bitrus Kwamoti
Zakaria Nyampa
James Barka
Kobis Thimnu — all from Adamawa State
Mohammed Bargaja from Sokoto State
Midala Balami from Borno State
Labour Party members join ADC
The Labour Party also lose five lawmakers to ADC. Dem include:
Afam Ogene
Lilian Orogbu
Peter Aniekwe from Anambra State
Two other LP lawmakers — Jessy Onuakalusi from Lagos State and Osaro Omoruyi from Edo State — also join ADC.
Another lawmaker, Peter Uzokwe, wey win election under Young Progressives Party (YPP) for Anambra, also defect join ADC.
While welcoming the defectors, Kalu describe APC as a political platform wey open to every Nigerian and say the increasing number of members show say many politicians get confidence in the party leadership and programmes.
He still reveal say some other lawmakers also show interest to join APC, but the House no fit officially announce their movement because dem no dey present during plenary.
Political realignment ahead of 2027
The recent defections come as politicians across Nigeria dey reposition ahead of the 2027 general election.
Some big opposition figures like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi don reportedly begin consultations to form a possible coalition.
Political observers say the African Democratic Congress dey emerge as one of the parties wey fit serve as platform for the proposed alliance.
Experts also believe say the ongoing leadership crisis inside PDP and factional problems within Labour Party don create the kind environment wey dey encourage lawmakers to defect.
For APC, the new lawmakers don further increase the party dominance inside the House of Representatives, while ADC appear to dey position itself as alternative platform for politicians wey want new political direction.
