PDP, Labour Party lose 11 Lawmakers to APC, ADC in fresh defections

Twenty-four hours after losing four of its members in the House of Representatives to rival parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday suffered another setback in the Green Chamber as six lawmakers defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The Labour Party (LP) was also affected by the latest political realignments, losing five of its members as defections intensified ahead of the next electoral cycle.

Announcing the defections during plenary, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, attributed the development to lingering internal crises within the affected opposition parties.

Lawmakers who left the PDP for the APC include Bitrus Kwamoti, Zakaria Nyampa, James Barka and Kobis Thinmu, all from Adamawa State, as well as Mohammed Bargaja from Sokoto State and Midala Balami from Borno State.

The Labour Party lost Afam Ogene, Lilian Orogbu and Peter Aniekwe from Anambra State to the African Democratic Congress. Two other LP lawmakers — Jessy Onuakalusi from Lagos State and Osaro Omoruyi from Edo State — also joined the ADC.

In a related development, Peter Uzokwe, an Anambra lawmaker elected on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), also defected to the ADC.

Welcoming the defectors to the APC, Kalu described the ruling party as a broad political platform open to all Nigerians, adding that the increasing number of members joining the party reflects growing confidence in its leadership and programmes.

He said, “Some of our colleagues want to move to the APC. We have their letters here, but we cannot officially announce their defections in their absence.”