Political Earthquake in Abuja: 17 Reps Abandon ADC in Dramatic Switch to NDC

No less than 17 MPs publicly declared their departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) during plenary on Tuesday, sparking a wave of defections in the House of Representatives. They cited internal problems inside their previous party.

The defectors, who represented the states of Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, and Rivers, read individual letters on the House floor, citing "unresolved crises from the national to ward levels" in the ADC as the reason for their choice.

Yusuf Umar Datti, who represented Kano State's Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam Federal Constituency, was one of those who defected. He claimed that it was challenging to adequately serve his constituents due to the ADC's ongoing volatility.

The decision was made following "wide consultations with political stakeholders and constituents," according to Harris Okonkwo, the Anambra State representative for the Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency.

Sani Adamu (Minjibir/Ungogo, Kano), Thaddeus Attah (Eti-Osa, Lagos), George Ozodinobi (Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia, Anambra), Lilian Obiageli (Awka North/Awka South, Anambra), and OluwaSeyi Sowunmi (Ojo, Lagos) are other lawmakers that switched from ADC to NDC.

Peter Anekwe (Anambra East/West), Zakari Umar Mukhtari (Tarauni, Kano), George Olawande (Amuwo Odofin, Lagos), Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (Egor/Ikpoba-Okha, Edo), Umezuruike Manuchim (Port Harcourt I, Rivers), Emeka Idu (Onitsha North/South, Anambra), and Jesse Onuakalusi (Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos) are also defectors.

Afam Ogene (Ogbaru, Anambra), Kamilu Ado (Wudil/Garko, Kano), and Ifeanyi Uzokwe (Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo, Anambra) are additional.

In a similar incident, Yagba Federal Constituency representative Leke Abejide declared he was leaving the ADC to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In response to the mass defections, some members noted that party instability continues to be a recurrent factor driving defections in the National Assembly and voiced alarm over the increasing tendency of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As is customary in parliament, the Speaker acknowledged the letters and wished the legislators who were defecting luck in their new political groups.
The development is anticipated to change the minority parties' power dynamics in the House, especially with regard to the ADC's position in the lower house.