Another ADC Rep moves to APC, Senators Hanga, Umeh defect to NDC, Abaribe joins LP, ADC replies to Akpabio over ‘dead party’ comment

A wave of defections from Nigeria’s African Democratic Congress (ADC) to rival parties is reshaping the opposition landscape, with about 20 federal lawmakers switching camps on Tuesday, May 5, according to parliamentary proceedings.

The defectors, many aligned with former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, cited leadership crises and protracted litigation within the party. Both politicians recently joined the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), triggering a broader realignment in Nigeria’s opposition.

The moves come days before a May 10 deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for political parties to submit updated membership registers ahead of the 2027 general election.

In the House of Representatives, 18 ADC lawmakers defected during plenary, according to records of proceedings. Seventeen joined the NDC, while one—Leke Abejide, chairman of the House Committee on Customs and Excise—moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who presided over the session, joked about the frequency of party switches as the defections were announced.

The exits have reduced the ADC’s numbers in the lower chamber to six.

In the Senate, three lawmakers also announced defections in letters read on the floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Senators Victor Umeh and Rufai Hanga joined the NDC, while Enyinnaya Abaribe moved to the Labour Party (LP).

Umeh said in his letter that his decision followed “wide consultations” and cited “lingering divisions in the leadership and unending litigations” within the ADC.

Abaribe said his resignation was “anchored on the now well-known leadership crisis within the ADC, occasioned by multiple legal issues.”

Akpabio, reacting during plenary, said: “I think ADC is dead,” drawing murmurs in the chamber. He also questioned the frequency of defections, noting that some lawmakers had switched parties multiple times within weeks.

The ADC dismissed the remark. Its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the comment as “frivolous and flippant” when contacted.

Despite the defections, some party figures urged supporters to remain.

Former APC national secretary John James Akpanudoedehe said in Uyo that ADC members in Akwa Ibom State would not join the NDC, adding: “We are united and focused… None of our followers is leaving.”

In Lagos, politician Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour also said he would remain in the ADC, describing Nigeria’s opposition politics as “turbulent” but reaffirming his commitment to the party.

Despite the influx of defectors, the NDC has yet to emerge as the main opposition bloc in the National Assembly.

The APC holds a dominant position in the Senate with 89 seats, while the ADC has seven and the NDC three, according to parliamentary data. In the House of Representatives, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leads the opposition with 29 members, followed by the NDC with 17 after the latest defections.