18 Reps Dump ADC for NDC, APC

No fewer than 18 members of the House of Representatives Nigeria on Tuesday defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to other political parties, citing internal divisions within their former platform.

Seventeen of the lawmakers moved to the National Democratic Congress Nigeria (NDC), while one lawmaker joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was announced during plenary through separate letters read by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session. The defectors attributed their decision to what they described as a protracted leadership crisis within the ADC.

Among those who defected to the NDC are Yusuf Datti, Sani Wakil, Mukthar Zakari and Abdulhakeem Ado (all Kano); Uchenna Okonkwo, George Ozodinobi, Obiageli Orogbu, Peter Aniekwe, Emeka Idu, Peter Uzokwe and Afam Ogene (Anambra); Thaddeus Achef, Oluwaseun Sowumi, George Oluwande and Jessy-Okey Onuakalusi (Lagos); as well as Murphy Omoruyi (Edo) and Munachin Alozie (Abia).

In a related development, Leke Abejide (Kogi) defected from the ADC to the APC.

The latest wave of defections follows the recent exit of prominent political figures, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who also left the ADC for the NDC, citing similar concerns over internal party crises.

Ruling on the matter, the Deputy Speaker wished the lawmakers well in their future political endeavours.