A fresh wave of defections swept through the House of Representatives on Thursday, with five members announcing their move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during plenary.
Dockaysworld reports that a total of 12 lawmakers switched party affiliations during the session.
The defecting lawmakers moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Young Progressives Party (YPP) and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to either the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or the ADC.
In separate letters read on the floor of the House by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, the lawmakers cited irreconcilable differences within their former parties as the reason for their decisions.
Those who defected to the ADC include Afam Ogene (LP–Anambra), Peter Aniekwe (YPP–Anambra), Lilian Orogbu (LP–Anambra), Jessey Onakalusi (LP–Lagos) and Murphy Osaro (LP–Edo).
Meanwhile Dockaysworld reported that 9 senators defected to the ADC earlier today as well.
In other news, several other house of representatives moved to the APC. James Barka, Laori Bitrus, Zakaria Nyampa and Kobis Thimnu, all representing constituencies in Adamawa State, defected from the PDP to the ruling party. Midala Balami (PDP–Borno) and Mohammed Bargaja (PDP–Sokoto) also joined the APC.
The deputy speaker also announced that eight other lawmakers had notified the House of their intention to defect. They include Hassan Hussein, Tijani Khali and Muhammed Shehu, all from Kano State under the NNPP, as well as Uchenna Okonkwo (LP–Anambra).
Kalu said their letters would be formally read when the lawmakers are physically present at plenary.
At Wednesday’s plenary, Garba Inuwa and Abdullahi El-Rasheed, both from Gombe State, alongside Mohammed Audu (PDP–Taraba), defected to the APC. Joshua Obika (LP–FCT) also joined the ruling party, while Adewale Adebayo (PDP–Osun) defected to the Accord Party.
