A fresh wave of defections swept through the House of Representatives as 12 members announced their defections during plenary on Thursday, March 12, 2026.
The defections saw some opposition members moving into the ruling All Progressive Party Congress (APC) and African Democratic Party (ADC).
The lawmakers defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
In separate letters read by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, the lawmakers cited irreconcilable differences in their former parties as reasons for their defections.
James Barka, Laori Bitrus, Zakaria Nyampa and Kobis Thimnu, all representing different constituencies in Adamawa State, defected from PDP to APC.
Midala Balami (PDP-Borno) and Mohammed Bargaja (PDP-Sokoto) defected to the APC, while Afam Ogene (LP-Anambra), Peter Aniekwe (YPP-Anambra), and Lilian Orogbu (LP-Anambra) joined ADC.
Two other lawmakers, Jessey Onakalusi (LP-Lagos) and Murphy Osaro (LP-Edo) equally left Labour Party for ADC.
Kalu also announced that four other lawmakers had notified the House of their defections.
Kalu listed the lawmakers to include Hassan Hussein (NNPP-Kano), Tijani Khali (NNPP-Kano), Muhammed Shehu (NNPP-Kano), and Uchenna Okonkwo (LP-Anambra).
He, however, said the letters of the defecting lawmakers would be read when they are physically present at plenary.
At Wednesday’s plenary, Garba Inuwa and Abdullahi El-Rasheed, both from Gombe State, and Mohammed Audu (PDP-Taraba) defected to APC.
Joshua Obika (LP-FCT) also defected to APC, while Adewale Adebayo (PDP-Osun) moved to Accord Party.
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