By Achile Danjuma
Awave of defections hit the House of Representatives on Thursday as Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu announced the defection of 12 lawmakers from different political parties.
Six members formally moved from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), while six others left the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and Labour Party (LP) to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Announcing this development, Deputy Speaker Kalu said: “Honourable James, yes please. We have seen the reason you are due is the basic reason that most of the people who have left PDP have our dues, and you like what the president is doing with APC, so you are welcome on board.
“I will list all the people who are doing the same, and then tomorrow at the end of the announcement, you will come and have a photograph with the presiding officer.”
He added that some lawmakers were not physically present for the announcement, stressing that their defection letters would be formally read when they arrived in the chamber.
The Deputy Speaker formally welcomed the first batch of PDP members moving to APC.
“We have Right Honourable Bamisele Komolafe Beatrice Lowery, and it has to do with notice of political realignment from PDP to APC. Honourable Komolafe, you are welcome to APC. Please sit down and later on we’ll invite you to the presiding officer. Yes, he deserves that hand clap. APC, you can clap for him,” he said.
Another lawmaker, Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe, who is leaving YPP for ADC, was also recognised.
“Mr. Ifeanyi is defecting from YPP to ADC. He is notifying the house. The house is hereby notified,” Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker further announced other defections.
“There is also a notification of resignation from Labour Party and a movement into ADC. This is coming from Honourable Shuaib Abiola Sowunmi. He is not in the house now, but we will announce it when he is present,” he said.
Other PDP lawmakers joining APC included Muktar Aliyu Betara and Zakari Dauda Nyampa.
Kalu welcomed them, saying, “Honourable Betara is resigning publicly and courageously from PDP to APC. You are welcome to the largest party in the black race. Honourable Zakari Dauda Nyampa is also moving from PDP to APC.”
Several lawmakers from opposition parties moved to ADC.
“We have Honourable Bright Iyamu Jesse Oke Onakpasa, who is resigning from Labour Party to ADC. No clapping in Congress, please. Is Honourable Mohammed Inuwa Bassi in the house? He is not here. Clerk, take note,” Kalu said.
Others formally recognised included Murphy Osaro Omoruyi, Jafaru Yakubu, Prince Sadiq Abbas Tafida, Victor Afam Ogene, Kafilat Ogbara, Peter Udo Udofia, Professor Obi Lilian Orogbu, Barrister Mohammed Bello Shehu, Dankawu Idris, Hassan Shehu Hussaini, Muhammad Ghali Tijjani, and Jimbo Ibrahim.
Kalu emphasised that no resignation letters would be read in the absence of the lawmakers, stating: “It’s treated as received, but the ceremonial announcement will be made when they’re in the house. They have to be here so they don’t deny it tomorrow.”
The Deputy Speaker concluded: “This is a clear demonstration of political realignment, and we welcome all lawmakers into their new parties. It reflects the will of the people and the ongoing changes in our political system.”
The defections come amid ongoing national discussions about party loyalty, internal party conflicts, and the growing appeal of APC and ADC across different regions of Nigeria.