ADC, Accord gaining ground as PDP, LP shrink dramatically in House of Reps

Once barely noticed in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party have begun quietly but decisively carving out space in the chamber, taking advantage of cracks in the traditional opposition as the 2027 elections draws near.

The ADC and Accord are steadily growing their numbers, while the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) grapple with defections and internal crises that continue to thin out their camp and weaken their strength.

Since it’s resumption last week from budget defence sessions, the House leadership has read out series of defection letters as political realignments continue in the lower chamber.

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For the major opposition benches, the effect has been unmistakable, but ruling All Progressives Congress continues to maintain growing dominance.

The transformation is striking when compared with how the House began. When the 10th National Assembly was inaugurated in June 2023, the opposition actually had the numbers.

The APC controlled 175 seats, while opposition parties together held about 182. The PDP alone had 118 members. The Labour Party held 35 seats, buoyed by the surge that followed the 2023 election. The NNPP had 19, while smaller parties filled the remaining positions, giving the opposition 182 members against the APC’s 175.

At the time, many analysts expected a competitive chamber where the ruling party would need to negotiate to get its way.

Fast forward to about three years, and the landscape looks markedly different. APC now dominates with about 262 seats, giving it a comfortable two-thirds majority in the 360-member House.

The once-formidable PDP now holds around 43 members. The LP, which entered the chamber with strong momentum after the 2023 elections, has seen its caucus shrink to 14 lawmakers. The NNPP also holds 14 seats.

The African Democratic Congress, once barely visible in the chamber, now counts seven members. Accord, which had no representative when the Assembly was inaugurated, also now holds seven seats.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance maintains five lawmakers, while the Social Democratic Party has two.

The Young Progressives Party (YPP) has vanished from the chamber entirely.

The traditional opposition is fragmented, with PDP and LP struggling to hold onto influence, while ADC and Accord quietly expand their footprint.

The latter two parties, once considered marginal, are emerging as potential power brokers, capable of influencing debates, coalition dynamics, and committee decisions in ways their modest numbers might not immediately suggest.

The newest shift was significant during Thursday’s plenary. Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker who presided read letters from twelve lawmakers announcing their moves to the APC and ADC.

Among the latest defectors to the ADC were Peter Uzokwe, who moved from the YPP, and three LP lawmakers from Anambra — Afam Ogene, Peter Aniekwe, and Lilian Obiageli Orogbu. Lagos State’s Jessey Onakalusi and Edo State’s Murphy Osaro also joined ADC from the LP.

The shift is as much about timing and strategy as it is about numbers. Smaller parties like ADC and Accord are emerging as attractive platforms for lawmakers who feel stifled by leadership struggles, unresolved disputes, or the uncertainty of re-election prospects within larger parties.

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The PDP has been battling prolonged internal divisions since the 2023 elections, with competing factions and leadership disputes lingering for months.

The LP has faced its own struggles, including leadership disagreements and legal battles over party control.

In Nigeria’s political culture, party structures matter enormously when elections approach. Access to party tickets, campaign resources and political backing often depends on where a politician stands within those structures.

And with 2027 slowly edging closer, many politicians are already recalculating their options.

The defections are expected to continue coming weeks, as Kalu already hinted of more letters to be read out.