Nigeria’s ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has gained significant ground in the National Assembly following a wave of defections in early June. At least twelve lawmakers—two senators and ten House of Representatives members—have left opposition parties to join the APC, reshaping the legislative landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the Senate, Senator Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa West) resigned from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on June 4, citing internal rifts and support for President Tinubu’s progressive agenda. Senator Neda Imasuen (Edo South) of the Labour Party (LP) is also set to join the APC on June 12, blaming LP’s “lack of strategic direction.” These moves are expected to raise the APC’s Senate seats from 68 to 70 in the 109-member chamber.
The House of Representatives has seen a more dramatic shift. Ten lawmakers, mainly from Akwa Ibom, Abia, and Benue states, have defected—most from the PDP, LP, SDP, and YPP. Many cited confidence in Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda and its impact on local development.
In Akwa Ibom, five members defected jointly, mirroring Governor Umo Eno’s recent alignment with federal development initiatives.
Opposition parties, especially the PDP, have condemned the defections and called for the seats to be declared vacant, arguing the lawmakers violated constitutional rules on party-switching. They insist no factional crises justify the moves. However, the APC maintains the defections reflect the changing political will of the electorate.
With these defections, the APC now holds approximately 207 out of 360 seats in the House, securing a solid majority.
Whether more defections will follow remains to be seen—but momentum appears to favour the ruling party.
