Eight members of the Nigerian House of Representatives have dumped their parties for new ones. This move reflects ongoing political shifts in the National Assembly.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read out the letters of defection at plenary on Tuesday, May 6. The letters detailed reasons behind the lawmakers’ decisions to switch sides.
Two lawmakers from the Labour Party (LP) crossed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while six PDP lawmakers moved to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
List of the Lawmakers Who Defected
From the LP to PDP:
- Obetta Chidi, representing Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South (Enugu State).
- Dennis Agbo, representing Igbo-Eze North/Udenu (Enugu State).
From the PDP to APC:
- Victor Nwokolo (Ika North East/Ika South, Delta State) – a fourth-term lawmaker.
- Pondi Julius Gbabojor (Burutu, Delta State) – in his third term.
- Thomas Ereyitomi (Warri Federal Constituency).
- Mutu Nicholas Ebomo (Bomadi/Patani, Delta State) – a seven-term member since 1999.
- Ukodhiko Jonathan (Isoko North/Isoko South, Delta State).
- Ezechi Nnamdi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani, Delta State).
In their letters, the lawmakers pointed to party disunity.
“There are unresolved issues in our party that make it impossible to function,” one of them wrote.
Another said, “My people have asked me to move to where their interests can be better served.”
What’s Happening?
The PDP and Labour Party have struggled to keep their members united since the 2023 general elections. Both parties have faced leadership battles and internal wrangling.
For example, the PDP has ongoing legal disputes over its chairmanship and internal zoning formula. The Labour Party is in court over control of its national executive, with factions fighting for legitimacy.
These divisions have created confusion and weakened party control in the House.
Many of the defecting lawmakers said they had consulted their constituents. They claim their people want them to join more “stable” platforms to ensure development projects and access to federal benefits.
“We can’t stay in a party where there’s no clear direction,” another lawmaker stated.
This latest defection wave follows others in recent months, especially from opposition parties to the APC. The APC already holds a majority in the House and seems to be tightening its grip.
Under Nigerian law, lawmakers are only supposed to defect if there’s a division in their party. But in practice, many do so without facing consequences.
Growing Trend of Party-Switching
Defections in Nigeria’s National Assembly are not new. In previous Assemblies, both PDP and APC have gained and lost members regularly.
But the recent trend shows that more lawmakers from the South-South and South-East zones—especially from Delta and Enugu states—are aligning with the APC.
This may have implications for the 2027 general elections. With more opposition members moving to the ruling party, the APC could expand its reach in those regions.
It also raises questions about political loyalty and ideology, as many of the defectors had criticized the APC in the past.
The House leadership welcomed the defections. Speaker Abbas simply acknowledged the letters and moved on with the proceedings.
Yet, some observers have raised concerns about whether, with the swirling of the ruling party, Nigeria is de facto now a one-party state.
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