Reps Resume from Recess Amid Wave of Defections as 13 Lawmakers Switch Parties
By Yahaya Idris, Abuja
The House of Representatives resumed plenary after a four-week legislative recess on Tuesday amid a flurry of political defections leading to shifting dynamics within Nigeria’s political scene ahead of 2027 elections.
No fewer than thirteen lawmakers formally announced their defection from their respective political parties, signaling fresh alignments and possible changes in the balance of power within the Green Chamber.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, read the letters of defection on the floor of the House during plenary, in accordance with parliamentary procedures, drawing the attention of members to the latest developments.
Among the lawmakers who changed political affiliations was Hon. Gaza Jonathan from Nasarawa State, who defected from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the Labour Party (LP).
His decision is seen as a significant political move in Nasarawa politics, where parties continue to reposition themselves ahead of future elections.
Also announcing a switch was Hon. Alex Egbona of Cross River State, who left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The defection marks a notable departure from the APC, which has maintained a strong presence in Cross River State in recent years.
In Edo State, Hon. Esosa Iyawe moved from the APC to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), while Hon. Sani Lawal of Katsina State resigned his membership of the APC and indicated his intention to join another political platform, although the destination party was not disclosed in his letter to the House.
Similarly, fellow Katsina lawmaker, Hon. Shehu Dalhatu, defected from the APC to the PDP, citing reasons contained in his communication to the Speaker.
The most significant bloc movement came from Oyo State, where six members of the House abandoned the PDP and joined the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The lawmakers are Hon. Adebayo Adepoju, Hon. Adedeji Olajide, Hon. Ojo Akinola, Hon. Oyedeji Oyeshina, Hon. Oyekunle Folajimi, and Hon. Abass Adigun.
Some Nigerians believe the mass defections reflect ongoing consultations and strategic calculations by lawmakers seeking platforms they consider more suitable for advancing their political aspirations and serving their constituents.
The development is expected to generate fresh debates over party loyalty, ideological consistency, and the constitutional provisions governing legislative defections. It may also have implications for party strength and influence within the House as political actors begin positioning for future electoral contests.
Although none of the lawmakers elaborated extensively on the floor of the House regarding the reasons behind their decisions, party disagreements, internal crises, leadership disputes, and evolving political interests have historically been cited as major factors driving defections in the National Assembly.
The latest wave of defections adds another chapter to Nigeria’s fluid political environment, where elected officials frequently realign with different parties in response to changing political realities.
As plenary activities resume, attention will now focus on how the defections could affect legislative alliances, committee leadership structures, and the broader political calculations within the House of Representatives in the coming months.
