Mass defections rock ADC as opposition realigns for 2027

…17 Reps, 2 senators dump party during Tuesday plenaries

​The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a significant internal crisis as a fresh wave of defections threatens its stability ahead of the 2027 general elections. Prominent members continue to abandon the platform, following the high-profile exit of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, and Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former Governor of Kano State.

​Obi and Kwankwaso, both of whom had briefly aligned with the ADC, formally joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Sunday. This development has triggered a wider realignment within the opposition, as political actors move to secure their futures before critical electoral deadlines.

Read also: 17 reps dump ADC for NDC over persisting crisis

​Legal instability and looming INEC deadlines

​Analysts attribute the mass exodus to a combination of lingering legal uncertainties within the ADC and the race to meet the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) deadline for party primaries. According to the revised INEC timetable, primaries are scheduled to take place between 23 April and 30 May 2026.

​The party is currently embroiled in two significant cases at the Federal High Court in Abuja. While judgment has been reserved in a suit regarding a leadership tussle, a separate case seeks the deregistration of the party. These legal challenges have raised serious concerns among aspirants regarding the ADC’s viability as an electoral platform.

​Legislative exodus weakens party’s national standing
​The crisis intensified on Tuesday when 17 members of the House of Representatives defected from the ADC to the NDC. Their departures were announced during plenary, underscoring the scale of the upheaval. Simultaneously, Leke Abejide, the representative for Yagba Federal Constituency, announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

​The defecting lawmakers include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, and Munachim Umezuruike. Others joining the move are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, and Abdulhakeem Ado.

​Upper chamber shifts and regional resignations

​The Senate has also been affected, with Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) and Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) formally announcing their departures. Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, read their defection letters during Tuesday’s plenary. Umeh has joined the NDC, while Abaribe has returned to the Labour Party (LP), both citing persistent internal disputes.

​In Northern Nigeria, the party’s structure continues to erode. Aminu Gwarzo, the former Deputy Governor of Kano State, resigned on 1 May 2026, citing a shifting political environment. Similarly, Kabir Marafa, a former federal lawmaker from Zamfara State, joined the NDC, citing the ADC’s internal litigations as a primary motivator.

Read also: ADC shadow sneaks into Obi, Kwankwaso NDC

​Tactical repositioning ahead of 2027

​Other notable figures leaving the party include Ishaku Abbo, a former federal lawmaker from Adamawa North, and Buba Galadima, a veteran political strategist and former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change. Galadima, who has joined the NDC, recently called on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar to join the new formation to strengthen opposition unity.

​Sources indicate that further defections, including serving senators, are imminent if the ADC leadership fails to resolve its legal and internal crises. As political actors reposition themselves, analysts suggest the ADC faces an uphill task in retaining its relevance as a major contender in the 2027 elections.