A fresh wave of defections swept through Nigeria’s National Assembly on Wednesday as three senators and five members of the House of Representatives announced their decision to switch political parties, further reshaping the balance of power in the federal legislature.
The defecting senators—Amos Yohanna, Aminu Iya Abbas, and Ikra Aliyu Bilbis—formally left the Peoples Democratic Party and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Their decisions were conveyed through separate letters read during plenary in the Senate chamber, signalling a continued realignment of political loyalties ahead of future electoral contests.
The defections have further consolidated the dominance of the APC in the Senate, bringing the ruling party’s strength in the Red Chamber to 84 members. Political observers say the growing numbers could strengthen the ruling party’s ability to push legislative priorities and influence decision-making within the upper legislative chamber.
In their letters to the Senate leadership, the lawmakers cited internal crises and divisions within the PDP as reasons for their departure from the opposition party.
Senate sources said the defecting lawmakers expressed confidence that the APC platform would provide them with greater political stability and opportunities to serve their constituents more effectively.
The development reflects a broader pattern of defections that has characterised Nigeria’s political landscape in recent months, particularly as political actors reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The trend was also evident in the House of Representatives, where five lawmakers announced changes to their party affiliations during plenary.
Four of the lawmakers left the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party to join the ruling All Progressives Congress, further strengthening the party’s presence in the lower chamber.
Meanwhile, Adewale Adebayo, representing the Osogbo Federal Constituency in Osun State, announced his defection from the PDP to the Accord Party.
The lawmakers communicated their decisions through formal letters addressed to the leadership of the House and read during plenary proceedings.
Analysts say the continuing defections at the National Assembly highlight the fluid nature of party politics in Nigeria, where shifting alliances and political calculations often influence lawmakers’ decisions to change platforms.
The increasing movement toward the ruling party is also seen as a strategy by some lawmakers to align themselves more closely with the federal government and potentially enhance political opportunities within the legislative system.
However, opposition parties have repeatedly criticised the trend of defections, arguing that it weakens ideological consistency and undermines the stability of Nigeria’s multiparty system.
Despite such criticisms, the momentum of defections appears unlikely to slow in the near term as politicians continue to reposition themselves in preparation for the next electoral cycle.
Observers note that the growing numerical advantage of the APC in both chambers of the National Assembly could have significant implications for legislative debates, policymaking and political negotiations in the coming years.
With more lawmakers reportedly weighing their options amid internal tensions within some opposition parties, further defections could occur as Nigeria’s political landscape continues to evolve.
