In a major political shake-up at the National Assembly, eight members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday formally announced their defection from their respective political parties, citing persistent internal crises and the desire for more stable platforms to better serve their constituencies.
During plenary, six lawmakers from Delta State left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and declared allegiance to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while two lawmakers from Enugu State dumped the Labour Party (LP) to join the PDP.
The defection letters were read on the floor of the House by the Speaker during the day’s proceedings, marking a significant political realignment, particularly in the South-South and South-East regions.
Leading the Delta exodus was Hon. Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi Federal Constituency), the longest-serving member of the Green Chamber and Southern Caucus Leader.
Mutu, who has represented his constituency under the PDP since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, said the decision to leave the party was difficult but necessary, owing to what he described as “irreconcilable differences and dysfunctionality” within the PDP at the state and national levels.
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The other defecting PDP lawmakers from Delta State include: Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi (Ndokwa/Nkwuani); Hon. Jonathan Okodiko (Isoko); Hon. Thomas Eriyetomi (Warri); Hon. Julius Pondi (Burutu); Hon. Victor Nwokolo (Ika North and South)
Their switch to the APC is seen by analysts as a major boost to the ruling party’s political consolidation in the Niger Delta, a region traditionally dominated by the PDP.
In the South-East, the Labour Party suffered a blow as Hon. Mark Obetta (Nsukka/Igboeze South) and Hon. Dennis Agbo (Igbo Eze North/Udenu), both from Enugu State, defected to the PDP.
They cited a “lack of internal democracy and structural instability” within the Labour Party as the key reasons for their exit.
Reacting to the defections, political analyst Dr. Ifeanyi Eze of the Centre for Legislative Studies described the wave of cross-carpeting as a reflection of the fragile nature of Nigerian political parties.
“The internal disarray within major parties like the PDP and LP is pushing many lawmakers to seek survival and relevance in more organized or better-funded platforms,” Eze said. “These moves are strategic, especially with the next round of elections already casting a shadow.”
The APC, on its part, welcomed the Delta defectors, with party officials describing the move as “a vote of confidence in the Renewed Hope agenda” of President Bola Tinubu. Meanwhile, PDP insiders downplayed the loss of its Delta lawmakers but expressed optimism about strengthening its base in Enugu through the LP defectors.
Despite calls by some civil society groups to enact stricter laws to stem the tide of political defections, Nigeria’s constitution permits lawmakers to switch parties if they can prove a division or crisis in their former parties—a clause frequently cited in such moves.