Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed fresh realignments as four members of the House of Representatives officially defected from their respective parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
One of the lawmakers, Joshua Chinedu Obika, who represents the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory, announced his resignation from the Labour Party (LP) and his decision to join the APC. Obika currently serves as a member of the House of Representatives, representing constituents from Abuja Municipal Area Council and Bwari Area Council.
Alongside Obika’s defection, three other lawmakers also left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to align with the APC. Their decisions were announced during plenary at the House of Representatives, signaling continued shifts within Nigeria’s legislative politics.
The lawmakers who moved from the PDP to the APC include Mohammed Audu, who represents the Karim Lamido/Lau/Ardo-Kola Federal Constituency in Taraba State. Also joining the APC is Abdullahi El-Rasheed, the representative of Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency in Gombe State.
Another lawmaker from Gombe State, Inuwa Garuba, who represents the Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency, also confirmed his defection from the PDP to the APC.
The defections add to the growing list of political shifts within Nigeria’s National Assembly, where lawmakers frequently change party affiliations due to political alignments, internal party disagreements, or strategic calculations ahead of future elections.
Analysts say such movements could further strengthen the APC’s presence in the House of Representatives while raising questions about party loyalty and the stability of opposition parties within the country’s political system.
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As Nigeria’s political climate continues to evolve, observers will be watching closely to see whether more lawmakers follow the same path in the coming months.