Dare Babalola
Eighteen members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the House of Representatives on Tuesday announced their resignation from the party, with 17 defecting to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and one joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers attributed their departure to prolonged internal crisis within the ADC, which they said had affected party cohesion and hindered effective legislative representation.
Leading the single defection to the APC is Leke Abejide, who chairs the House Committee on Customs and Excise.
Those who moved to the NDC include Yusuf Umar Datti (Kano), Uchenna Harrison Okonkwo (Anambra), Sani Adamu Wakil (Kano), Thaddius Attah Achef (Lagos), George Ozodinobi (Anambra), Obiageli Lilian Orogbu (Anambra), and Oluwaseun Sowumi (Lagos).
Others are Peter Aniekwe (Anambra), Mukthar Umar Zakari (Kano), George Oluwande (Lagos), Murphy Omoruyi (Edo), Munachin Alozie (Abia), Emeka Idu (Anambra), Jessy-Okey Onuakalusi (Lagos), Peter Uzokwe (Anambra), Victor Afam Ogene (Anambra), and Abdulhakeem Kamilu Ado (Kano).
The wave of defections is expected to continue in the coming days ahead of the May 10 deadline set for political parties to submit updated membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
During plenary, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, jokingly advised the defecting lawmakers to remain consistent, noting that several of them had only recently joined the ADC from other parties in April.
With the latest development, the ADC is now left with just six members in the House of Representatives.
