El-Rufai's Son and Four Lawmakers Defect to ADC, NDC

On Thursday, five lawmakers, including Muhammed El-Rufai, representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC). This move is seen as a significant political signal amid growing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abba, acknowledged the defectors' letters during a plenary session. Muhammed El-Rufai's exit follows increasing criticism of President Bola Tinubu's administration and reflects a widening rift within the APC, which his father, Nasir El-Rufai, a former governor, has publicly criticized.

Other defectors include Joshua Obika from the Federal Capital Territory and Abdulhakeem Kamilu from Kano State, marking their third political movements since the 2023 elections.