No fewer than 17 lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Tuesday formally dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), significantly boosting the opposition party’s strength in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.
The defections were announced during plenary on the floor of the House, drawing immediate attention from lawmakers and reshaping the numerical balance among political parties represented in the Green Chamber.
Also announced at the same sitting was the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further adding to the wave of party movements that characterised the session.
The lawmakers who moved en bloc from the ADC to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lillian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, Munachim Umezuruike, Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, and Abdulhakeem Ado.
Their defection marks one of the most significant bloc movements in recent times within the House of Representatives, instantly strengthening the numerical and strategic positioning of the NDC caucus.
The Speaker formally acknowledged the defections during plenary proceedings in line with legislative procedure. The announcement was met with calm attention as lawmakers took note of the shifting party composition within the chamber.
Though no official objection was raised on the floor, the development is expected to trigger further political consultations among party leaders in the coming days.
The entry of 17 lawmakers into the NDC is widely seen as a major boost for the party’s legislative influence, particularly in committee participation, motion sponsorship, and coalition building within the House.
The growing presence of the NDC is expected to introduce a more competitive dynamic within the opposition bloc, potentially altering negotiation patterns on key national issues.
In a related development, Leke Abejide’s defection to the ruling APC was also formally announced during the plenary, adding to the ruling party’s numbers in the House and reflecting ongoing political recalibration among lawmakers across party lines.
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