The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered another significant blow in the House of Representatives on Wednesday as four federal lawmakers defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party, citing prolonged leadership crisis and unresolved internal divisions within the opposition party.
The defections were announced during plenary through separate letters read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, further strengthening the numerical advantage of the ruling APC in the lower chamber and deepening concerns about the opposition's cohesion ahead of future political contests.
Among those who defected to the APC is Garba Inuwa, who represents Yamaltu/Deba Federal Constituency of Gombe State.
Similarly, Abdullahi El-Rasheed, representing Dakku/Nafada Federal Constituency, also left the PDP for the APC, while Mohammed Audu, the lawmaker representing Karim Lamido/Lau/Ardo-Kola Federal Constituency, equally dumped the PDP for the ruling party.
Adewale Adebayo, another PDP member representing Irepodun/Olorunda/Osogbo/Orolu Federal Constituency of Osun State, defected to the Accord Party.
In their defection letters, the lawmakers argued that the internal disputes within the PDP had weakened its cohesion and undermined its ability to provide a stable political platform, making it increasingly difficult for them to effectively discharge their constitutional responsibilities to their constituents.
In a related development, Joshua Obika, a member of the House representing Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory, also announced his defection from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC.
Obika attributed his decision to the emergence of multiple factions within the Labour Party, saying the internal disputes had created uncertainty within the party structure.
The latest defections add to a growing list of lawmakers who have switched political allegiances since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.
The steady stream of defections has progressively bolstered the APC's dominance in the House while highlighting the deepening crisis within opposition parties struggling to maintain unity and discipline among their elected officials.
Political analysts suggest the defections could have significant implications for legislative voting patterns and the balance of power in the National Assembly as Nigeria approaches future electoral cycles.
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