House of Reps Records Mass Defections as 13 Lawmakers Switch Parties Over Internal Crises

The House of Representatives on Tuesday saw a significant political shake-up as 13 lawmakers formally announced their defection from different political parties during plenary. The lawmakers said their decisions were driven by internal party crises, leadership disagreements, and a desire to better represent their constituents.

The Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, read the letters of defection on the floor of the chamber, informing members of the various changes in party affiliation and the reasons given by the lawmakers.

Among those who defected was Gaza, who left the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Labour Party (LP), with the move taking effect in May 2026. Alex Ehnona also moved from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while assuring colleagues that his dedication to legislative duties would remain unchanged.

Esosa Iyawo, in what was described as his second party switch in just three weeks, moved from the APC to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), blaming unresolved internal issues within the Edo State chapter of the party. Sani Lawal also left the APC, effective May 4, saying the decision was made to better position himself to serve his constituents.

Shehu Tafoki defected from the APC to the PDP after consultations with stakeholders. In the same vein, six lawmakers from Oyo State — Adebayo Adepoju, Adedeji Stanley Olajide, Ojo Sunday, Najeem Oyedeji, Folajimi Oyekunle, and Abbas Adigun — left the PDP for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), citing long-standing leadership crises, internal divisions, and unresolved disputes within the party.

Also on the list was Etanebene Benedict, who left the Labour Party for the PDP, saying the dissolution of the party’s executive structure left him without a functional leadership to engage with during political processes. He also alleged growing internal support within the party for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Meanwhile, Auwalu Gwalabe of Bauchi State defected from the PDP to the APM with effect from May 4. In a related development, former Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda resigned from his position after leaving the PDP for the APC, bringing an end to his role as leader of the opposition caucus in the Green Chamber.


Elijah Adeyemi