The defection of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidates of the Labour Party and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 elections has led to mass exodus in the national assembly.
Obi and Kwankwaso made strong statements in the 2023 elections after gathering unprecedented votes, but like their counterpart in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the opposition leaders decided to work together to sack President Bola Tinubu, the winner of the last general elections, in 2027.
In actualising their desire, the opposition leader decided to work together and produce a unified candidate through a coalition that was started by Atiku. The coalition subsequently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform, and Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso joined the party, as well as their supporters.
However, not long after, Obi and Kwankwaso dumped the ADC for the NDC, potentially planning to work together and be on the ballot ahead of the poll. Their decisions were widely followed by mass defection in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
According to Vanguard, no less than four senators resigned from their party and joined the ADC and the Labour Party. In the House of Representatives, 18 members announced their resignation from the ADC and joined another party. Among the 18 Reps members, 17 of them dumped the ADC for the NDC, while Leke Abejide dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (ADC).
Senators
1. Enyinnaya Abaribe Abia South ADC Labour Party
2 Victor Umeh Anambra Central ADC NDC
3 Rufai Hanga Kano Central NNPP NDC
House of Representatives
1. Yusuf Umar Datti Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam ADC – NDC
2 Harris Okonkwo Idemili North/Idemili ADC – NDC
3 Sani Adamu Minjibir/Ungogo, Kano ADC – NDC
4 Thaddeus Attah Eti-Osa, Lagos ADC – NDC
5 George Ozodinobi Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia ADC – NDC
6 Lilian Obiageli Awka North/Awka South ADC – NDC
7 Oluwaseyi Sowunmi Ojo, Lagos ADC – NDC
8 Peter Anekwe Anambra East/West ADC – NDC
9 Zakari Umar Mukhtari Tarauni, Kano ADC – NDC
10 George Olawande Amuwo Odofin, Lagos ADC – NDC
11 Murphy Osaro Omoruyi Egor/Ikpoba-Okha ADC – NDC
12 Umezuruike Munachim Port Harcourt I ADC – NDC
13 Emeka Idu Onitsha North/South ADC – NDC
14 Jesse Onuakalusi Oshodi-Isolo ADC – NDC
15 Ifeanyi Uzokwe Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo ADC – NDC
16 Afam Ogene Ogbaru, Anambra ADC – NDC
17 Kamilu Ado Wudil/Garko ADC – NDC
