Nigeria’s political landscape witnessed another dramatic shake-up this week as several lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing unresolved internal crises and lack of party cohesion.
The wave of defections, announced on the floor of the National Assembly and in various state legislatures, has intensified political tensions ahead of upcoming off-cycle elections and further solidified APC’s influence at both federal and state levels.
Among the defectors are prominent PDP and LP lawmakers who accused their former parties of being plagued by factionalism, weak leadership, and poor internal democracy.
“We can no longer remain in a party that has lost direction and is consumed by internal battles,” said one former PDP lawmaker from the North-Central zone, who formally declared for the APC during a plenary session on Monday.
In separate letters read by the presiding officers, the defectors cited “irreconcilable differences” within their parties and the desire to align with the APC’s “stability and progressive vision” as key reasons for their decision.
The PDP and LP leadership have condemned the defections, describing them as betrayals of the mandate given by the electorate. They also vowed to challenge the moves in court where applicable, especially in constituencies where the party structure remains intact.
“This is a clear case of political opportunism. Rather than working to fix their parties, they are jumping ship for personal gain,” said PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba.
Political analysts say the defections reflect broader instability within the opposition, which has struggled to maintain a united front since the conclusion of the 2023 general elections. The APC, on the other hand, continues to leverage its position in power to absorb disaffected members of rival parties.
As Nigeria’s political realignment unfolds, observers warn that the trend of opportunistic defections may further erode public trust in democratic institutions.
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