The defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress has sparked a wave of political realignments, dealing a significant blow to the party’s presence in the National Assembly.
Within 48 hours of their exit, no fewer than 18 federal lawmakers - 17 members of the House of Representatives and one senator - dumped the ADC for the National Democratic Congress, underscoring the growing influence of the new political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest round of defections follows the earlier switch of Seriake Dickson, who had moved from the Peoples Democratic Party to the NDC weeks ago, signalling what now appears to be a broader shift within opposition ranks.
At plenary on Tuesday, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over proceedings, read out the letters of the defecting lawmakers. The legislators cited deepening internal crises within the ADC as the primary reason for their decision, describing the party’s instability as unresolved from the grassroots to the national leadership.
The lawmakers, drawn from Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, and Kogi states, include Yusuf Datti, Sani Adamu, Zakari Mukhtari, Kamilu Ado, Harris Okonkwo, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Peter Anekwe, Emeka Idu, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, and Afam Ogene. Others are Lagos-based lawmakers Thaddeus Attah, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, George Olwande, and Jese Onuakalusi, alongside Murphy Omoruyi from Edo and Umezuruike Manuchim from Rivers State.
In a related development, Kogi lawmaker Leke Abejide also exited the ADC but opted to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, further compounding the party’s losses.
Political observers say the coordinated nature of the defections points to a ripple effect triggered by Obi and Kwankwaso, both of whom command significant political followings - Obi in the South-East and Kwankwaso in the North-West. Their move to the NDC is widely seen as a rallying point for lawmakers and political actors seeking a more cohesive opposition platform.
The mass exodus comes against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by opposition groups to build a united front capable of challenging President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 elections. Only days earlier, several opposition parties had reportedly agreed to field a single presidential candidate.
However, the crisis within the ADC had been brewing for months, fuelled by leadership tussles, strategic disagreements, and competing ambitions among top figures. The situation reportedly deteriorated further amid tensions involving Obi, Kwankwaso, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar during coalition negotiations.
Attempts to harmonise interests within the opposition bloc ultimately collapsed, with disagreements over zoning arrangements, trust deficits, and control of party structures cited as major stumbling blocks.
The emergence of the NDC as a preferred alternative appears to have accelerated the ADC’s decline. With clearer leadership direction and the backing of prominent political figures, the party has quickly positioned itself as a major player in the evolving opposition landscape.
The impact on the ADC has been stark. From a peak of 24 members in the House of Representatives just last week, the party’s numbers have now dwindled to only six, raising questions about its ability to remain politically relevant ahead of the next election cycle.
The broader opposition is also feeling the strain. The PDP, once the dominant opposition force, has seen its representation in the House drop sharply - from 116 members at the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in June 2023 to just 29 currently.
With shifting alliances, defections, and the emergence of new power blocs, Nigeria’s opposition politics appears to be entering a period of intense recalibration as stakeholders reposition for the high-stakes 2027 general elections.
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