PDP Loses Five Lawmakers As Reps Witnesses Gale Of Defection

By Ayodele Oni 

The House of Representatives again witnessed a fresh round of defections  on Tuesday, with several Lawmakers crossing party lines ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development came as the House resumed plenary from the Easter recess, during which the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, read multiple letters of defection on the floor.

Responding to concerns that the trend could signal a drift toward a one-party state, Kalu dismissed such fears, describing the movements as a reflection of democratic freedom.

“This is to show the country that no party is stifled. People are leaving the majority party for minority parties and vice versa. This is the beauty of democracy,” he said.

Among the notable defections was Thaddeus Attah, representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos, who defected from the Labour Party, (LP), to the African Democratic Congress, (ADC).

In his letter, Attah attributed his decision to the prolonged leadership crisis within the Labour Party, which he said had hindered his effectiveness in representing his constituents.

The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), recorded the highest number of losses, with five lawmakers defecting, while the All Progressives Congress, (APC), lost two members in the latest political realignments.

Those who defected from the PDP to ADC include Abdussamad Dasuki (Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency, Sokoto State) and Seyi Sowunmi (Ojo Federal Constituency, Lagos State), alongside three other PDP lawmakers whose identities were included in the formal list of defectors read in the chamber.

Also joining the ADC is George Ozodinobi (Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia Federal Constituency, Anambra State), who defected from the Labour Party, alongside one former APC member, completing the ADC’s intake from the exercise.

The ruling APC simultaneously gained members from opposition ranks during the same session, underscoring a broader wave of political realignment across parties in the Green Chamber.

Lawmakers cited internal party crises, leadership disputes, and worsening factional tensions as reasons for their movement.