Seventeen members of the House of Representatives have defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Benjamin Kalu, the deputy speaker of the house, read the defection notices during Tuesday’s plenary.
The lawmakers, who represent 17 constituencies across the country, are Yusuf Datti (Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam, Kano), Harris Okonkwo (Idemili North/Idemili south, Anambra), Sani Adamu (Minjibir/Ungogo, Kano), Thaddeus Attah (Eti-Osa, Lagos), George Ozodinobi, deputy minority whip (Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia, Anambra), Lilian Obiageli (Awka north/Awka south, Anambra), and Oluwaseyi Sowunmi (Ojo, Lagos).
The legislators also include Peter Anekwe (Anambra east and west, Anambra), Zakari Mukhtari (Tarauni, Kano), George Olawande (Amuwo Odofin, Lagos), Murphy Omroruyi (Egor/Ikpoba Okha, Edo), Umezuruike Manuchim (Port-Harcourt I, Rivers), Emeka Idu (Onitsha north/south, Anambra), Jese Onuakalusi (Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos), Ifeanyi Uzokwe (Nnewi north/south/Ekwusigo, Anambra), Afam Ogene (Ogbaru, Anambra), and Kamilu Ado (Wudil/Garko, Kano).
Leke Abejide, lawmaker representing Yagba federal constituency of Kogi, also moved from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers attributed their defections to leadership and legal crises in their former parties.
The green chamber has recorded a wave of defections since the beginning of the year, ahead of the 2027 general election.
On Sunday, Peter Obi, Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in 2023, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano governor, defected from the ADC to the NDC.
Both politicians subsequently urged their supporters to join the NDC.
