THE HOUSE of Representatives on Tuesday witnessed a dramatic round of defections with 17 lawmakers defecting from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and one moving from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers who are mostly loyal to former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, cited, in separate letters read by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu at plenary, legal battles and internal leadership crisis as reasons for their decision to dump the ADC for the NDC.
The defecting members from ADC to NDC include: Yusuf Umar Datti, representing Kura-Madobi-Garun Mallam Federal Constituency of Kano state; Harris Okonkwo from Idemili North-Idemili South Constituency of Anambra State; Sani Adamu, representing Minjibir-Ungogo Federal Constituency of Kano state; Thaddeus Attah, representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency of Lagos State; George Ozodinobi, Deputy Minority Whip representing Njikoka-Anaocha and Dunukofia Federal Constituency of Anambra State, and Professor Lilian Obiageli, representing Awka North-Awka South Federal Constituency of Anambra State.
Others are Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, representing Ojo Federal Constituency of Lagos State; Peter Anekwe, representing Anambra East and West Federal Constituency of Anambra State; Zakari Umar Mukhtari, representing Tarauni Federal Constituency of Kano State; George Olawande, representing Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency of Lagos State; Murphy Osaro Omroruyi, representing Egor-Ikpoba Okha Federal Constituency of Edo State; Umezuruike Manuchim, representing Port-Harcourt I Federal Constituency, Rivers State; Emeka Idu, representing Onitsha North-South Federal Constituency of Anambra State; Jese Onuakalusi, representing Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency of Lagos State; Ifeanyi Uzokwe, representing Nnewi North-South-Ekwusigo of Anambra State; Afam Ogene, representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency of Anambra State; and Kamilu Ado, representing Wudil-Garko Federal Constituency of Kano State.
Meanwhile, a former factional leader of the ADC, and two-time House member on the party’s platform, Leke Abejide, officially informed the House of his defection from the ADC to the ruling APC.
Abejide, who represents Yagba East-Yagba West-Mopamuro Federal Constituency of Kogi State had earlier announced his decision at a media briefing in Abuja on Friday May 1, 2026.
