The Digest:
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has further consolidated its dominance in the National Assembly following fresh defections, raising its numbers to 87 senators and 261 members in the House of Representatives. Six lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) defected to the APC during plenary: James Barka, Kwamoti Bitrus Laori, Zakaria Nyampa, Kobis Thimnu (all Adamawa), Midala Balami (Borno), and Mohammed Bargaja (Sokoto). Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also gained six lawmakers from opposition parties, including Afam Victor Ogene (LP), Peter Anekwe (YPP), and Lilian Orogbu (LP), among others. ADC now has nine senators and six reps. Lawmakers cited internal crises and irreconcilable differences in their former parties. Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said each defection is evaluated constitutionally, noting a trend of lawmakers gravitating toward "progressive platforms" for faster development.
Key Points
- APC now has 87 senators, 261 reps after six PDP lawmakers defect.
- Six opposition lawmakers join ADC, giving party nine senators, six reps.
- Defections driven by internal crises, irreconcilable differences.
- Senate says defections constitutionally compliant, aligned with "progress."
- Wave of defections continues ahead of 2027 elections.
Sources: Plenary Proceedings
