Two members of the House of Representatives, Peter Akpanke and Paul Nnamchi, have switched their allegiance to the All Progressives Congress.
Akpanke, who serves the Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara federal constituency in Cross River State, was elected under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party, whereas Nnamchi, representing the Enugu East/Isi-Uzo federal constituency in Enugu State, previously belonged to the Labour Party.
During the plenary session on Tuesday, Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker of the house, announced their defection notices.
Akpanke cited internal disputes within the PDP as the reason for his defection, while Nnamchi pointed to a leadership crisis in the LP as the motivating factor for his departure.
In recent weeks, lawmakers have been changing parties in anticipation of the 2027 elections.
On October 2, 2024, Chris Nkwonta, who represents Ukwa East/Ukwa West in Abia, departed from the PDP to join the APC. Subsequently, on October 30, Sulaiman Abubakar from Gummi/Bukkuyum in Zamfara also aligned himself with the ruling party.
By December 5, a total of four LP lawmakers and one PDP member had transitioned to the APC, further shifting the dynamics in the lower chamber.
This trend persisted on February 11 and 12, with Amos Magaji from Kaduna and Garba Koko from Kebbi, both leaving the PDP to join the APC.
Naijaonpoint recalls that on March 18, two additional PDP lawmakers — Jallo Mohammed (Igabi, Kaduna) and Adamu Tanko (Gurara/Suleja/Tafa, Niger) — transitioned to the ruling party, referencing the internal crisis within the party.
Shortly thereafter, on March 27, Clara Nnabuife, who serves Orumba North/South in Anambra, departed from the Young Progressives Party to join the All Progressives Grand Alliance, claiming her defection was due to being “sidelined” from party activities.
On May 6, six members of the PDP aligned with the APC, while two legislators from the Labour Party (LP) shifted to the PDP.
Obetta Chidi, representing the Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South federal constituency of Enugu, defected from the LP to the PDP.
Dennis Agbo, who represents the Igbo-Eze North/Udenu federal constituency, also transitioned from the LP to the PDP.
Victor Nwokolo, representing the Ika North East/Ika South federal constituency of Delta, defected from the PDP to the APC.
Julius Pondi, who represents the Burutu federal constituency, similarly left the PDP for the APC.
Thomas Ereyitomi, representing the Warri North/Warri South/Warri West federal constituency, moved from the PDP to the APC.
A PDP member representing Bomadi/Patani, Nicholas Mutu, joined the ruling party, having been in the green chamber since 1999.
Ukodhiko Jonathan, representing Isoko North/Isoko South, also defected from the APC to the PDP.
Ezechi Nnamdi, a first-term member representing the Ndokwa/Ukwuani federal constituency, transitioned from the PDP to the APC.
On May 8, three PDP members from Katsina shifted to the APC.
Abdullahi Balarabe, who represents the Bakori/Danja federal constituency, expressed his desire for a more stable platform due to the “protracted crisis” within the PDP.
Abubakar Albaba Aliyu, representing the Batasari/Safana/Dan-Musa federal constituency, stated he left the PDP because of its “lack of cohesiveness”.
Yusuf Majigiri, representing the Mashi/Dutsi federal constituency, cited a “high level of internal crisis without cure” in the PDP.
On May 15, two legislators — Kabiru Usman and Abdullahi Sani, representing the Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya and Karaye/Rogo federal constituencies of Kano, respectively — switched their allegiance from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the APC.
Additionally, Oluwole Oke from Osun and Sunday Umeha from Enugu also transitioned to the APC from the PDP.
By May 28, Okolie Lawrence and Akingbaso Olanrewaju departed from the LP and PDP to join the APC, respectively.