Seventeen members of the House of Representatives defected from the African Democratic Congress to the Nigeria Democratic Congress on Tuesday, and Benjamin Kalu read their notices during plenary. The move carried lawmakers from 17 constituencies across the country and added another sharp turn to an already restless year in the green chamber.
Among those who switched were Yusuf Datti of Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam in Kano, Harris Okonkwo of Idemili North/Idemili South in Anambra, Sani Adamu of Minjibir/Ungogo in Kano, Thaddeus Attah of Eti-Osa in Lagos and George Ozodinobi, the deputy minority whip, who represents Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia in Anambra. Others who moved were Lilian Obiageli of Awka North/Awka South, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi of Ojo, Peter Anekwe of Anambra East and West, Zakari Mukhtari of Tarauni, George Olawande of Amuwo Odofin, Murphy Omroruyi of Egor/Ikpoba Okha, Umezuruike Manuchim of Port Harcourt I, Emeka Idu of Onitsha North/South, Jese Onuakalusi of Oshodi-Isolo, Ifeanyi Uzokwe of Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo, Afam Ogene of Ogbaru and Kamilu Ado of Wudil/Garko.
The lawmakers said leadership and legal crises in the ADC drove their decision. Their defection followed Sunday’s move by Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who also left the ADC for the NDC and urged their supporters to follow. Obi said the pair were committed to contributing to the development of the country, but this time through the NDC.
The defections came against the backdrop of a wider wave of party switching in the House since the beginning of the year, all unfolding ahead of the 2027 general election. On the same Tuesday, Leke Abejide also moved from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress, underscoring how quickly the party has been losing ground in the lower chamber. With 17 lawmakers now gone in one bloc and another member headed elsewhere, the question is not whether the shake-up will continue, but how much of the ADC remains in the House by the time the next election cycle fully arrives.
