House of Representatives defections 2027 intensify as six lawmakers leave NNPP and PDP for APC and ADC amid rising political realignments
The House of Representatives witnessed a fresh wave of political defections on Wednesday as six lawmakers abandoned the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress, further reshaping party strength ahead of the 2027 general election.
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The development, announced during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, comes barely 24 hours after another round of defections, signalling growing instability and shifting political loyalties in the lower chamber.
Among the latest movements, four lawmakers from Kano State formally exited the NNPP and joined the ADC, citing internal party disputes and leadership crises.
Leading the group, Adamu Wakili of Minjibir/Ungogo Federal Constituency attributed his departure to what he described as persistent leadership turmoil within the party, which he said had made continued membership untenable.
“I find it imperative to align with a platform that guarantees inclusion and I hereby notify the House of my intention to join the African Democratic Congress,” Wakili stated in his letter read on the floor.
Umar Zakari, Umar Datti, and Abdulhakeem Ado also defected from the NNPP to the ADC, echoing concerns over long-standing internal divisions at both state and national levels.
In a separate development, Ahmadu Kabiru of Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency in Zamfara State resigned from the PDP and joined the APC, citing irreconcilable differences within his former party.
Kabiru said his decision was informed by a desire to align with what he described as the transformative policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Similarly, Chinedu Martins of Ahiazu/Ezinihitte/Mbaise Federal Constituency in Imo State confirmed his defection from the PDP to the APC, noting that his realignment had already taken effect at the ward level months earlier.
The latest movements have further strengthened the APC’s dominance in the House, where it now controls 282 seats. The PDP’s representation has dropped significantly to 30 members.
The ADC has emerged as a growing opposition force with 24 seats, largely boosted by ongoing defections, while the Labour Party holds 10 seats.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance has five seats, Accord Party has four, and both the Action Peoples Party and Social Democratic Party control two seats each. The NNPP is now reduced to a single seat.
The widening political realignment is widely seen as part of early positioning ahead of the 2027 elections, with lawmakers increasingly seeking stable platforms and improved electoral prospects.
Analysts say internal crises within opposition parties, alongside the attraction of stronger political structures, continue to drive the movement toward the ruling party and emerging alternatives.
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With political activities expected to intensify in the coming months, observers believe more defections may follow as lawmakers reposition themselves for the next electoral cycle.
