Gale of defection hits Senate, Reps

As Tambuwal, Abaribe, Kingibe, six others join ADC

Accord, NDC get one each

12 Rep members defect to APC, ADC

Five of the Senators defected from the PDP, three from the Labour Party (LP) and one from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Senators Onawo Ogoshi, Dauda Yaroe, Lawal Usman, Austin Akobundu and Tambuwal, defected from the PDP.

Those who confirmed their defection from the LP were senators Victor Umeh, Ireti Kingibe and Tony Nwoye.

Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe left APGA for the ADC.

Most of the senators actually defected to the ADC since last year, just that they made the official notification to the Senate on Thursday.

Tambuwal had earlier announced his decision in a statement on Thursday, saying he had formally communicated his resignation to his ward chairman in writing after “deep reflection and consultations.”

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The former governor, who served two terms as governor of Sokoto State and previously as Speaker of the House of Representatives, said the lingering internal crisis and leadership disagreements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) made it difficult for him to continue as a member.

The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, announced the defections.

However, the defection of Abaribe raised dust after Akpabio observed that there was no division in APGA, hence defection on grounds of division was not applicable to him as required by the 1999 Constitution.

However, defending his action, Abaribe informed the Senate that APGA sacked him in 2025, leaving him with no choice but to seek an alternative platform.

But, not convinced, Akpabio advised him to produce the documentary evidence of his dismissal by APGA before his defection would be considered to be in compliance with the requirement of law.

He was given up till the next legislative day (Tuesday, next week) to make up his mind.

Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Olalere Oyewumi, also announced his defection to the Accord Party from the PDP.

Former governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, also informed the Senate of his decision to leave the PDP and join the newly registered Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

The latest official figures announced on the floor now accord the APC a comfortable majority of 83 senators out of 106. Some senators already in the APC have yet to formally announce their defections.

Meanwhile, 12 members of the House of Representatives on Thursday formally defected from the PDP, LP, and Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the APC and the ADC, citing irreconcilable differences and the need to better position their constituencies politically.

The defections were announced on the floor of the House by the Deputy Speaker, Honourable Benjamin Kalu who presided.

The lawmakers who defected from Adamawa State are: Honourables James Barka, Laori Bitrus, Zakaria Nyampa and Kobis Thimnu moved from the PDP to the APC.

Also, Honourable Midala Balami from Borno State and Honourable Mohammed Bargaja from Sokoto State also defected from the PDP to the APC.

From Anambra State, Honourable Peter Uzokwe moved from the YPP to the ADC, while Honourables Afam Ogene, Peter Aniekwe and Lilian Obageli Orogbu defected from the LP to the ADC.

In a related development, Honourable Jessey Okei Onakalusi from Lagos State and I Honourable Murphy Omoruyi Osaro from Edo State also moved from LP to the ADC.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker also announced nine other lawmakers who defected but were not present in the chamber must be physically present to confirm and formalize their defection.

This is coming barely 24 hours after three PDP lawmakers and one Labour Party lawmaker defected to the ruling party and one PDP lawmaker defected to Accord Party.