Rain of defections: APC gains 14, ADC 9 in House of Reps shake-up

A fresh wave of defections hit the House of Representatives on Tuesday, with 27 lawmakers switching parties ahead of primaries for the 2027 general elections.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged as the biggest beneficiary, gaining 14 members, including Aliu Madaki, the deputy minority leader, who defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) representing Dala, Kano.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) followed closely, picking up 9 lawmakers, among them George Ozodinobi, the deputy minority whip, who left the Labour Party (LP), representing Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia, Anambra.
Other parties also saw minor gains: the All Progressives Party (APP) and Accord each welcomed two new lawmakers.

Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the House, read the defection notices during plenary on Tuesday. The lawmakers attributed their decisions to ongoing internal crises within their former parties.

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Defections to APC (14)
Aliu Madaki (Deputy Minority Leader) — NNPP → APC (Dala, Kano)
Tijjani Abdulkadir Jobe — NNPP → APC (Tofa/Dawakin-Tofa/Rimingado, Kano)
Ghali Tijjani Mustapha — NNPP → APC (Ajingi/Albasu/Gaya, Kano)
Shehu Bello — NNPP → APC (Fagge, Kano)
Dankawu Idris — NNPP → APC (Kumbotso, Kano)
Hussain Hassan Shehu — NNPP → APC (Nassarawa, Kano)
Rabiu Yusuf — NNPP → APC (Sumaila/Takai, Kano)
Garba Mohammed Chiroma — NNPP → APC (Gezawa/Gabasawa, Kano)
Ibrahim Mohammed — NNPP → APC (Gwale, Kano)
Jaafaru Yakubu — PDP → APC (Bali/Gassol, Taraba)
Sadiq Abbas Tafida — PDP → APC (Jalingo/Yorro/Zing, Taraba)
Ibrahim Mohammed — PDP → APC (Birnin-Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza, Kebbi)
Bello Shinkafi — PDP → APC (Shinkafi/Zurmi, Zamfara)
Mohammed Bassi — PDP → APC (Mayo Belwa/Ganye/Jada/Toungo, Adamawa)

Defections to ADC (9)
Abdussamad Dasuki — PDP → ADC (Kebbe/Tambuwal, Sokoto)
Seyi Sowunmi — LP → ADC (Ojo, Lagos)
George Ozodinobi (Deputy Minority Whip) — LP → ADC (Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia, Anambra)
Harris Okonkwo — LP → ADC (Idemili North/South, Anambra)
Yaya Bauchi Tongo — PDP → ADC (Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye, Gombe)
Mustapha Abdullahi — APC → ADC (Ikara/Kubau, Kaduna)
Mani Maishinko Katami — PDP → ADC (Binji/Silame, Sokoto)
Umar Yusuf Yabo — PDP → ADC (Yabo/Shagari, Sokoto)
George Olawande — LP → ADC (Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos)

APP (2)
Ugochinyere Michael Ikeagwuonu — PDP → APP (Ideato, Imo)
Nwogu Mathew — LP → APP (Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala, Imo)

Accord (2)
Akanni Clement Ademola — PDP → Accord (Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila, Osun)
Oladebo Lanre Olomololaye — PDP → Accord (Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan, Osun)

Taofeek Oyedokun

Taofeek Oyedokun is a correspondent at BusinessDay with years of experience reporting on political economy, public policy, migration, environment/climate change, and social justice. A graduate of Political Science from the University of Lagos, he has also earned multiple professional certificates in journalism and media-related training. Known for his clear, data-driven reporting, Oyedokun covers a wide range of national and international socioeconomic issues, bringing depth, balance, and public-interest focus to his work.