A dramatic round of Defections in Nigeria’s National Assembly has significantly altered the political dynamics within the Senate and House of Representatives, signaling a period of major realignment among opposition parties.
The development followed the decision of several lawmakers to abandon their former political platforms and align with new parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The shift has not only reshaped party strength in the legislature but also ignited constitutional debates about the legality of some of the moves.
In the Senate, nine lawmakers formally announced their Defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC.
The senators cited persistent internal disputes within the PDP as the main reason for their decision to leave the party.
For months, the PDP has struggled with leadership disagreements and factional disputes that have weakened the cohesion of the party.
Some lawmakers argued that the prolonged crisis has hindered effective coordination within the opposition, prompting them to seek a more stable political platform.
With the latest Defections, the ADC has rapidly emerged as the most prominent opposition group in the Senate.
The party now holds nine seats, surpassing the PDP, which has been reduced to six senators.
Other parties maintain smaller representations in the upper chamber.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) currently holds one seat, while the Accord Party, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) each control a single seat. Three Senate positions remain vacant.
The senators who moved from the PDP to the ADC include Aminu Waziri Tambuwal representing Sokoto South, Binos Dauda Yaroe from Adamawa South, Lawal Adamu Usman of Kaduna Central, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo from Nasarawa South, and Augustine Akobundu representing Abia Central.
During plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the official letters confirming the Defections, formally notifying the chamber of the political shifts.
However, the session was not without controversy. A fresh debate erupted following the Defections of three senators elected under the Labour Party.
The lawmakers—Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), and Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory)—also joined the ADC.
Some senators questioned whether the move complied with constitutional provisions governing defection by lawmakers.
According to Nigeria’s Constitution, a legislator who defects from the party that sponsored their election may lose their seat unless the party is experiencing a clear internal division.
The debate intensified when Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South announced his own defection from APGA to the ADC. Several lawmakers immediately challenged the legality of the decision.
Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin argued that there was no evidence of a major crisis within APGA that would justify such a move.
He referenced constitutional provisions stating that lawmakers must vacate their seats if they switch parties without proof of a division within their original party.
Supporting this position, Senator Adams Oshiomhole emphasized that the law clearly outlines the conditions under which a legislator can defect without forfeiting their mandate.
According to him, while the PDP may have experienced internal factional disputes that could justify defections, there was no widely recognized division within APGA or the Labour Party.
In response, Abaribe insisted that his case was different. He claimed that he had already been expelled from APGA months earlier and therefore had no choice but to seek another political platform.
The senator explained that the Constitution does not explicitly address situations where a lawmaker is removed from a political party.
He maintained that his defection followed his expulsion and that he possesses documents to prove it.
Senate President Akpabio responded cautiously, stating that the Senate had not yet received official documentation confirming the alleged expulsion.
As a result, the chamber could not immediately verify the claim.
To allow proper review, Akpabio gave Abaribe one week to provide documentary evidence supporting his assertion.
The Senate leadership agreed to revisit the matter during a later sitting once the evidence is submitted.
Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also noted that the situation raises important constitutional questions.
He pointed out that Sections 65 and 68 of the Constitution define both the qualifications required for election to the Senate and the circumstances under which a lawmaker must vacate their seat.
He stressed that these provisions would guide the Senate in determining whether the contested Defections comply with the law.
While the debate continued in the upper chamber, similar political shifts were recorded in the House of Representatives.
Twelve lawmakers from the PDP, Labour Party, NNDP, and Young Peoples Party (YPP) also changed political affiliations.
Six of them moved from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while others aligned themselves with the ADC.
Among those who joined the APC were James Barka, Kwamoti Bitrus Laori, Zakaria Nyampa, Kobis Thimnu, Midala Balami, and Mohammed Bargaja.
Meanwhile, lawmakers including Afam Victor Ogene, Peter Aniekwe, Lilian Orogbu, Jessey Onakalusi, and Murphy Osaro Omoruyi opted for the ADC.
Following these Defections, the APC increased its numerical advantage in the House of Representatives to 268 members, while the PDP’s presence declined to 49 lawmakers.
Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu revealed that additional members have already notified the chamber about their intention to change parties in the coming weeks.
Outside the National Assembly, the wave of Defections also extended to state politics. In Adamawa State, Adamu Atiku—son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar—recently left the PDP and joined the ADC after resigning from his position as a state commissioner.
Political observers believe the ongoing realignment could reshape Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of future elections.
The rising influence of the ADC within the legislature suggests that the party may attempt to position itself as a stronger alternative platform.
As debates over constitutional requirements continue, the National Assembly is expected to revisit several of the controversial Defections, particularly those involving lawmakers whose original parties are not clearly divided.
Ireport247news
