NASS Defections: 19 Lawmakers Dump Parties for NDC Over Internal Crises

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has strengthened its presence in the National Assembly after attracting about 20 defectors, positioning itself as an emerging political force ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The latest defections have seen the party surpass the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the House of Representatives and draw closer to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), although the All Progressives Congress (APC) still holds a commanding majority.

In the Senate, former Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), resigned from the ADC to join the Labour Party (LP). Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) defected from the ADC to the NDC, while Senate Minority Whip, Senator Rufai Hanga (Kano Central), left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the NDC.

The addition of Umeh and Hanga brings the number of NDC senators to three, alongside its founder, Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), who joined the party on March 31. The Senate now stands at APC-88, ADC-8, PDP-4, NDC-3, APGA-1, Accord-1, with four seats vacant due to deaths and resignation.

In the House of Representatives, no fewer than 18 members defected from the ADC, with 17 joining the NDC and one moving to the APC. The current composition places APC at 260 seats, PDP 38, LP 21, NDC 17, NNPP 14, APGA 5, and others 4.

The defecting lawmakers, drawn from Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, and Rivers states, blamed “unresolved crises from the national to ward levels” within the ADC for their decision.

Among them, Yusuf Umar Datti (Kano) said the instability in the party made effective representation difficult, while Harris Okonkwo (Anambra) said the move followed “wide consultations with political stakeholders and constituents.”

Explaining their decisions in separate letters read at plenary, Abaribe and Umeh pointed to leadership disputes and ongoing litigation within the ADC.

Abaribe stated: “My decision to resign… is anchored on the now well-known leadership crisis within the ADC, occasioned by multiple legal issues.”

Umeh said: “I have taken this decision after wide consultations… in view of the lingering divisions in the leadership and unending litigation in the ADC.”

Hanga, who cited internal conflict within the NNPP, said: “The ongoing internal crisis… have created an unstable political environment that makes it impracticable to effectively discharge my legislative responsibilities.”

He added that the NDC better aligns with his commitment to governance and democratic values.

Reacting during plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said: “Because I think ADC is dead. How many times can you defect in a month? Once. But some have done three times,” suggesting that defections be compiled for easier announcement.

Lawmakers have also raised concerns over increasing party instability and political realignments ahead of 2027.

Meanwhile, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA) distanced itself from comments by its National Secretary, Dr. Umar Ardo, who criticised the registration of the NDC.

In a statement, the party said the views were personal and reaffirmed that “the NDC is today a duly registered political party… and remains the only viable alternative platform.”

ADA cautioned against weakening opposition politics, adding: “The 2027 election is too important for opposition voices to cannibalise one another… The enemy of Nigeria’s democracy is not the NDC. The enemy is one-party rule.”

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