Seventeen members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday formally defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), citing unresolved internal disputes within their former party.
The defections were announced during plenary, where the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, read separate letters from the lawmakers explaining their decisions. In the letters, the legislators pointed to the ongoing leadership crisis in the ADC as the primary reason for their exit.
The development follows a similar move last Sunday by Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who both defected from ADC to the NDC, also citing internal party challenges.
Among those who joined the NDC are Rep. Yusuf Datti, Rep. Sani Wakil, Rep. Mukthar Zakari, and Rep. Abdulhakeem Ado from Kano State.
From Anambra State, the defectors include Rep. Uchenna Okonkwo, Rep. George Ozodinobi, Rep. Obiageli Orogbu, Rep. Peter Aniekwe, Rep. Emeka Idu, Rep. Peter Uzokwe, and Rep. Afam Ogene.
Also joining the NDC are Rep. Thaddeus Achef, Rep. Oluwaseun Sowumi, Rep. George Oluwande, and Rep. Jessy-Okey Onuakalusi from Lagos State, as well as Rep. Murphy Omoruyi from Edo State and Rep. Munachin Alozie from Abia State.
In a related development, Rep. Leke Abejide from Kogi State defected from the ADC to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ruling on the matter, the Deputy Speaker wished the defecting lawmakers well in their future political endeavours.
