Politics

PDP Loses Five Reps, APC Two In Fresh Defections

Published

2 months ago

April 21, 2026

A fresh wave of defections swept through the House of Representatives on Tuesday as lawmakers realigned across party lines in what appears to be early positioning for the 2027 general elections.

At the resumption of plenary after the Easter break, the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, read out a series of defection letters, reflecting a growing fluidity within Nigeria’s political space.

He dismissed concerns that the trend signalled an attempt to edge the country toward a one-party system, insisting instead that it underscores democratic freedom.

“This is to show the country that no party is stiffled. People are leaving the majority party to the minority parties and the minority parties to the majority party. This is the beauty of democracy,” Kalu said.

One of the notable movements came from Lagos, where Thaddeus Attah, representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, dumped the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress.

In his letter, Attah attributed his decision to “the protracted crisis in the leadership of the LP,” which he said has hampered effective representation of his constituents in recent months.

The Peoples Democratic Party emerged as the biggest casualty of the latest round of defections, losing five members.

Among them, Abubakar Abdul from Niger State defected to the All Progressives Congress, while Yakubu Noma (Kebbi) joined the ADC and Ibrahim Mohammed (also from Kebbi) moved to the APC.

In Osun State, two lawmakers—Mudashiru Alani (Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa) and Adetunji Olusoji (Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe)—left the PDP for the Accord Party.

However, the APC also recorded losses. David Fuoh (Taraba) defected to the PDP, while Bashir Zubair (Kaduna) joined the ADC, highlighting the two-way nature of the shifting alliances.

Defections are not new in Nigeria’s political landscape, particularly as election cycles approach. With less than two years to the 2027 polls, lawmakers are increasingly recalibrating their positions in response to internal party disputes, electoral calculations, and evolving regional dynamics.

The current wave is partly driven by lingering leadership crises within parties—most notably in the PDP and LP—as both major and smaller parties intensify efforts to strengthen their ranks ahead of primaries.

For many legislators, party affiliation is often influenced by prospects for re-election, access to party structures, and alignment with influential political blocs at the state and national levels.

Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has maintained a numerical advantage in the House, but opposition parties have continued to jostle for relevance through strategic defections and coalition-building.

The emergence of parties like the ADC as beneficiaries of defections suggests a gradual diversification of the political space beyond the traditional dominance of the APC and PDP.

Analysts say the trend may intensify in the coming months as parties finalise their internal structures and aspirants begin to test their popularity ahead of primaries.

For now, Tuesday’s developments reinforce a familiar pattern: in Nigeria’s legislature, party loyalty often remains fluid, especially when electoral stakes are high.

The House adjourned plenary to Wednesday in honour of Kano lawmaker Hassan Danjuma, who died on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66.

Politics

Ex- APC National Youth Leader Emerges Gombe NDC Guber Candidate

Published

6 days ago

June 3, 2026

Editor

Sadiq Abubakar, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Youth Leader has emerged the winner of the Gombe State Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship primaries.

Abubakar disclosed this development in an interview with Newsmen in Bauchi on Wednesday.

It could be recalled that the Former APC National Youth Leader had dumped the APC, citing hardship faced by many Nigerian homes due to difficult policies and programmes by the party.

According to him, the move was also driven by an objective of securing free and fair victory in future election primaries so as to continue to serve the people with strength and integrity and promised to announce his newly adopted political party in no distant time.

Speaking with newsmen after the governorship primaries, Abubakar expressed gratitude to the party leadership, delegates, and supporters for the confidence reposed in him.

He described the nomination as a collective responsibility to the people of Gombe state.

“This honour is not for me alone, but belongs to every young person searching for opportunity, every farmer striving to make a living, every mother hoping for a better future for her children, and every community yearning for development,” he affirmed.

“Just as I had testified when I defected to the NDC that this is a political party where members are treated fairly and equally. It is a party where members’ mandates are not stolen or suppressed for favoured individuals and this attestation has manifested now,” he said.

Politics

JUST IN: NDP Candidate Announcement Triggers Electoral Controversy

Published

7 days ago

June 2, 2026

Editor

Fresh uncertainty has emerged within the National Democratic Party (NDP) following the announcement of its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, made barely two days after the deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The development has raised questions about the validity of the nomination process and whether the party’s candidate will be officially recognised by the electoral umpire ahead of the polls.

Political observers and stakeholders have expressed concern over the timing of the announcement, warning that the delay could expose the party to legal and procedural challenges.

The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of political parties’ compliance with electoral guidelines as preparations for the 2027 elections intensify across the country.

While the NDP maintains that its actions are consistent with internal party procedures, critics argue that the move could further complicate its chances of participating effectively in the presidential race.

The latest development has added to growing uncertainty within Nigeria’s political landscape, with attention now shifting to the position of INEC on the candidate’s status and the broader implications for the party’s electoral prospects.the three

Politics

NDC Warri Fed. Constituency Candidate, Mulade, Pledges Inclusive Representation

Published

1 week ago

May 30, 2026

Editor

The winner of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary election for Warri Federal Constituency, Dr Sheriff Mulade, has
assured constituents of prioritising their interests through effective, people-oriented, and responsive representation if elected at the general election.

This was contained in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Warri on Saturday.

Chief Mulade, while expressing profound gratitude to party delegates, supporters, and constituents for the overwhelming support that secured him victory, described the outcome of the election as a demonstration of the confidence, trust, and acceptance reposed in him by the people of Warri Federal Constituency.

The environmental rights activist and peace advocate said he remains humbled by the mandate entrusted on him.

According to him, the victory belongs, not just to him, but to every resident of the constituency who believes in the ideals of good governance, unity, and sustainable development.

“I deeply appreciate all those who participated in the electoral process, especially the delegates, supporters, and well-wishers who stood firmly behind my aspiration. Your support, trust, and confidence mean a great deal to me,” he stated.

Comrade Mulade further called for unity, peaceful coexistence, and collective progress among the three major ethnic nationalities that make up the constituency—the Ijaw, Itsekiri, and Urhobo—stressing that the future of Warri Federal Constituency depends on collaboration and mutual inclusiveness.

He noted that the outcome of the primary election reflects the people’s desire for inclusive leadership, grassroots-driven representation, and a renewed commitment towards addressing the developmental needs of the constituency.

“I dedicate this victory to God Almighty and all the people of Warri Federal Constituency whom I seek to serve. This mandate is a call to greater responsibility, and I assure you that I will not let you down. Together, we shall build a constituency where every community has a voice and every citizen has a stake in our collective progress,” Mulade added.

The NDC candidate also urged party members and supporters to remain united and focused as the party prepares for the next phase of the electoral process.

He emphasized that victory can only be sustained through solidarity, commitment, and a shared vision for the development of Warri Federal Constituency.