The House of Representatives witnessed another round of defections on Thursday as 12 lawmakers announced their decision to leave their political parties during plenary, with most of them joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The affected lawmakers moved from opposition platforms including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
Their letters of defection were read on the floor of the House by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the plenary.
According to the lawmakers, unresolved internal disagreements and divisions within their former parties informed their decision to seek new political platforms.
Among those who defected to the APC were four lawmakers from Adamawa State - James Barka, Laori Bitrus, Zakaria Nyampa and Kobis Thimnu - who all left the PDP.
Also joining the ruling party from the PDP were Midala Balami, representing Borno State, and Mohammed Bargaja from Sokoto State.
Meanwhile, the ADC gained new members from the Labour Party and YPP. Those who joined the party include Afam Ogene (LP–Anambra), Peter Aniekwe (YPP–Anambra), and Lilian Orogbu (LP–Anambra).
Two other lawmakers - Jesse Onakalusi (LP–Lagos) and Murphy Osaro (LP–Edo) - also announced their exit from the Labour Party to join the ADC.
During the plenary, Kalu further disclosed that eight additional lawmakers had formally notified the House leadership of their intention to defect.
He listed them as Hassan Hussein, Tijani Khali and Muhammed Shehu of the NNPP from Kano State, as well as Uchenna Okonkwo of the Labour Party from Anambra State. Their letters, he said, would be read when they are present at plenary.
The latest development follows similar defections recorded during Wednesday’s sitting of the House.
On that occasion, Garba Inuwa and Abdullahi El-Rasheed, both from Gombe State, along with Mohammed Audu (PDP–Taraba), defected to the APC.
Similarly, Joshua Obika (LP–FCT) also joined the APC, while Adewale Adebayo (PDP–Osun) moved to the Accord Party.
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