Mass Defections Shake Nigeria's House of Representatives

The House of Representatives in Nigeria experienced mass defections, with no fewer than 29 members changing their political affiliations. The All Progressives Congress (APC) maintained a strong position, gaining 15 lawmakers despite losing two to the People's Democratic Party (PDP), which leads the opposition with 37 members.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) increased its membership to 17, while the Labour Party now has 11 lawmakers. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) saw its numbers dwindle to five, and the Action Peoples Party (APP) gained two members.

This shift is significant as it alters the composition of the 10th assembly, inaugurated on June 23, 2023, where the APC held 181 seats against the opposition's 179, with the PDP alone accounting for 115 members. Among the defectors, Deputy Spokesman of the House, Phillip Agbes, left the APC for the Labour Party, citing prolonged political crises in Benue State.

Other notable defectors included Ademola Akani, Lanr Oladebo, and Ikenga Ugochinyer.