A shift in political allegiances played out on the floor of the House of Representatives on Tuesday as eight lawmakers formally announced their defection from their former parties to new platforms, in a development that further consolidates the influence of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the federal legislature.

The most significant realignment came from Delta State, where six members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) declared their switch to the APC. 

These defections, read aloud by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary, reflect an evolving pattern of political repositioning within the House.

Leading the group of defectors was Rep. Nicholas Mutu, a veteran legislator representing Bomadi/Patani Federal Constituency. Mutu, now in his seventh term and the longest-serving member of the House since the beginning of the Fourth Republic, also serves as the Leader of the Southern Regional Caucus. 

He was joined by Reps. Julius Pondi (Burutu), Thomas Ereyitomi (Warri), Victor Nwokolo (Ika North East/Ika South), Jonathan Ajirioghene Ukodhiko (Isoko North/Isoko South), and Nnamdi Ezechi (Ndokwa East/Ndokwa West/Ukwuani).

With this wave of defections, the APC now controls eight out of the ten House seats from Delta State, reinforcing its majority in the chamber and underscoring its continued expansion across regions.

The session also featured two additional defections from Enugu State, as Reps. Chidi Mark Obetta (Nsukka/Igboeze South) and Dennis Nnamdi Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu) announced their resignation from the Labour Party (LP) to join the PDP. 

Both legislators attributed their decision to ongoing leadership crises and unresolved internal divisions within the LP.

These developments raise the total number of documented defections in the House since July 2024 to twenty-four, with the APC gaining twenty-one of those members. 

The PDP has lost 13 legislators in this period, while the LP has seen eight departures. 

Smaller parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) have each lost one member. Notably, no defections have occurred from the APC to any other party.

The continuing trend reflects the dynamic nature of Nigeria’s democratic evolution, as lawmakers reposition themselves to reflect shifting legislative priorities and constituency interests.