ABUJA, Nigeria — Several members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives changed party affiliation on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, as the chamber resumed plenary after the Easter recess, in a development reflecting shifting political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Presiding over the session, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu read multiple defection letters on the floor of the House, noting that the movement of lawmakers cut across both majority and opposition parties.
Kalu dismissed concerns that the trend signalled a drift toward a one-party system, describing it as an expression of democratic choice within a multiparty framework.
Lawmakers Cite Internal Party Disputes
Among the defections, Thaddeus Attah, who represents Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos State, left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress.
In his letter, Attah cited an ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour Party, which he said had affected his ability to represent his constituents.
The Peoples Democratic Party recorded the largest number of defections, with five lawmakers departing.
Abubakar Abdul moved to the All Progressives Congress, while Yakubu Noma joined the ADC. Ibrahim Mohammed also defected to the APC.
In Osun State, Mudashiru Alani, representing Ayedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa Federal Constituency, and Adetunji Olusoji, representing Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe, left the PDP for the Accord Party.
Two-Way Realignments Continue
The ruling APC also experienced defections.
David Fuoh moved to the PDP, while Bashir Zubair joined the ADC.
The latest changes underscore ongoing realignments within the House, where party defections have remained a recurring feature of Nigeria’s political system, particularly as elections approach.
Political Landscape Ahead of 2027
The movements come less than two years before the next general elections, with lawmakers adjusting their affiliations amid internal party disputes and evolving political alliances.
Since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023, the APC has maintained majority control of the House.
Opposition parties, however, continue to reposition through defections and alliances, with the ADC emerging as a beneficiary of some of the recent shifts.
Plenary Adjourned in Honour of Late Lawmaker
Following the session, the House adjourned plenary until Wednesday in honour of Hassan Danjuma, who died on April 10, 2026, at the age of 66.
