The House of Representatives continues to experience significant shifts in its partisan composition, particularly as the National Assembly primaries approach. In recent weeks, several lawmakers have cited internal leadership crises, divisions, and factionalization within their political parties as reasons for changing party affiliation.
With the defection of sixteen members across party lines over the past two weeks, the total number of defections recorded in the 10th Assembly since June 2024 has risen to 137. These movements span multiple states, including Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos, Niger, Osun, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
Gains and Losses by Party
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) recorded the highest gains in this latest round, adding eight members, followed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) with five. The Majority Caucus also experienced losses, with three members joining parties within the Minority bloc, reflecting a fluid political landscape.
In terms of losses, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recorded the highest, losing eight seats to other parties. Of these, five members joined the APC, while the ADC and Accord Party gained one and two seats respectively. The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) recorded the second-highest losses, with four members from Kano State defecting to the ADC.
Summary of Defections Since July 2024
- Seats Gained by Parties:
- All Progressives Congress (APC) – 103 seats
- African Democratic Congress (ADC) – 23 seats
- Accord Party (AP) – 5 seats
- Action Peoples Party (APP) – 2 seats
- Labour Party (LP) – 2 seats
- All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – 1 seat
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – 1 seat
- Seats Lost by Parties:
- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – 82 seats
- Labour Party (LP) – 26 seats
- New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) – 18 seats
- All Progressives Congress (APC) – 4 seats
- Young Progressives Party (YPP) – 3 seats
- All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – 2 seats
- African Democratic Congress (ADC) – 1 seat
The Social Democratic Party (SDP) remains the only party represented at inauguration that has not lost a single member through defection. The Action Peoples Party (APP) and Accord Party (AP), despite being relatively new to the Assembly, have retained all gained seats.
