17 ADC Lawmakers Defect To NDC, 1 Joins APC

A total of 18 members of the House of Representatives, have defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and All Progressives Congress (APC).

While 17 joined the burgeoning opposition NDC, one of the defectors moved to the ruling APC at a plenary presided over by Deputy Benjamin Kalu on Tuesday.

The new NDC lawmakers are Hons 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).

Others include; Hons 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).

On the other hand, Hon. Leke Abejide, lawmaker representing Yagba federal constituency of Kogi, also moved from the ADC to the 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.

While the latest defections bring an addition to the ruling APC now with 284 members while ADC dropped to six lawmakers in the Green Chamber of the National Assembly.

Hitherto, the number of lawmakers according to party distribution showed that APC had 283 members, ADC -24; PDP, 29; Labour Party, 10; APGA -5; Accord – 4; APP – 2; SDP -2 each and NNPP – 1.