A fresh round of defections has hit Nigeria’s House of Representatives, with several lawmakers switching political parties in what appears to be early strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections.
During plenary, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read multiple defection letters, highlighting ongoing shifts across party lines.
He dismissed fears that the trend could lead to a one-party system, describing it instead as a reflection of democratic freedom, with lawmakers moving between both major and smaller parties.
One notable defection came from Lagos, where Thaddeus Attah left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress, citing prolonged internal leadership crises within his former party as the reason for his decision.
The Peoples Democratic Party recorded the highest number of losses, with five members defecting.
Among them, Abubakar Abdul from Niger State joined the All Progressives Congress, while Yakubu Noma of Kebbi moved to the ADC.
Another Kebbi lawmaker, Ibrahim Mohammed, also switched to the APC.
In Osun State, Mudashiru Alani and Adetunji Olusoji left the PDP to join the Accord.
The APC also experienced some losses, as David Fuoh defected to the PDP, while Bashir Zubair moved to the ADC, underscoring the two-way nature of the ongoing political realignments.
Such defections are common in Nigeria’s political landscape, especially as elections approach.
With less than two years to the 2027 polls, many lawmakers are adjusting their affiliations due to internal party disputes, electoral strategies, and shifting regional dynamics.
The House later adjourned plenary in honour of the late Kano lawmaker, Hassan Danjuma, who passed away on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66.
