House of Reps Rocked as Six PDP and LP Lawmakers Defect to Ruling APC

The House of Representatives witnessed another significant political realignment on Thursday, as six lawmakers from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) officially announced their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This move further strengthens the APC’s numerical dominance within the National Assembly.

Dependable NG reports that the defection was formally confirmed by the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, during Thursday’s plenary session, following the reading of individual letters submitted by the lawmakers. Five of the defecting members hail from Enugu State, with one representing Plateau State.

The lawmakers who switched allegiance to the APC are: Daniel Ago (LP, Plateau), and five members from Enugu State: Chidi Obetta (PDP), Anayo Onwuegbu (PDP), Dennis Agbo (PDP), Martins George (PDP), and Nnaji Nnolim (PDP). In their letters to the Speaker, the legislators collectively cited “irreconcilable differences” and profound internal divisions within their former parties as the primary reasons for their decision to join the ruling platform.

Following the announcement, the defectors were formally received and welcomed into the APC by the ruling party members in the chamber amidst cheers. This event marks yet another wave of defections to the APC in recent weeks, underscoring the party’s continued consolidation of political influence nationwide. The defectors’ move comes at a time of renewed political alignment across the country, particularly in the South-east geopolitical zone, where the APC has been intensifying efforts to expand its political base ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Notably, the proceedings were observed by Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, and the APC National Chairperson, Nentawe Yilwatda, who were ushered into the chamber. Governor Mbah himself had recently defected from the PDP to the APC, influencing the decision of his state’s caucus. The defections also come amidst growing signs of instability within the opposition, as the PDP continues to battle factional disputes across several states, and the LP is plagued by an ongoing leadership crisis.