… As Idahosa hails defections to APC in Ovia S’West as ‘Political Revolution
ABUJA: The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) further consolidated its strength in the National Assembly on Thursday as a fresh wave of defections swept through both chambers, with several opposition lawmakers switching allegiance.
The development came as nine serving senators from different political parties defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while 12 members of the House of Representatives also announced changes in their political affiliations during plenary.
Among the senators who defected to the ADC are Aminu Tambuwal from Sokoto State; Eyinnaya Abaribe from Abia; Binos Yaroe from Adamawa; Victor Umeh from Anambra; Tony Nwonye from Anambra; Lawal Usman from Kaduna; Ogoshi Onawo from Nasarawa State; Augustine Akobundu from Abia; and Ireti Kingibe representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Their letters of defection, addressed to the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, were read during plenary.
Meanwhile, the wave of defections also affected the House of Representatives, where 12 lawmakers announced their departure from their former political parties during Thursday’s sitting.
The development saw several opposition lawmakers moving into either the ruling APC or the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The affected lawmakers left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP).
In separate letters read on the floor of the House by the Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, the lawmakers cited irreconcilable differences within their former parties as the main reason for their decision to defect.
Four lawmakers representing different constituencies in Adamawa State — Reps. James Barka, Laori Bitrus, Zakaria Nyampa and Kobis Thimnu defected from the PDP to the ruling APC.
Also moving to the APC were Rep. Midala Balami (PDP–Borno) and Rep. Mohammed Bargaja (PDP–Sokoto).
However, three lawmakers from Anambra State – Rep. Afam Ogene (LP), Rep. Peter Aniekwe (YPP), and Rep. Lilian Orogbu (LP) defected to the ADC.
Two other lawmakers, Rep. Jessey Onakalusi (LP–Lagos) and Rep. Murphy Osaro (LP–Edo), also left the Labour Party to join the ADC.
Deputy Speaker Kalu further disclosed that eight other lawmakers had formally notified the House of their intention to defect, although their letters would only be read when they were physically present during plenary.
He listed them as Hassan Hussein (NNPP–Kano), Tijani Khali (NNPP–Kano), Muhammed Shehu (NNPP–Kano), and Uchenna Okonkwo (LP–Anambra), among others.
The latest defections came on the heels of similar movements recorded during Wednesday’s plenary when Reps. Garba Inuwa and Abdullahi El-Rasheed, both from Gombe State, alongside Rep. Mohammed Audu (PDP–Taraba), defected to the APC.
Similarly, Rep. Joshua Obika (LP–FCT) also crossed over to the APC, while Rep. Adewale Adebayo (PDP–Osun) moved to the Accord Party.
The latest wave of defections has further reshaped the balance of power in the National Assembly, strengthening the APC’s numbers while weakening opposition parties such as the PDP and LP ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Meanwhile, Edo State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa, yesterday described the mass defection of opposition leaders and grassroots mobilisers in Ovia South West Local Government Area to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a “Plitical revolution for good.”
The defectors, drawn from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party (LP) and the Igbo community in the area, pledged bloc votes for the APC during a gathering at the Iguobazuwa Town Hall.
An elated Idahosa said that the development would help fulfil the promise by Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, to deliver 2.5 million votes in Edo to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
He commended Governor Okpebholo for choosing him as running mate during the last governorship election, noting that the decision had strengthened political support in Ovia South West and already yielding dividends for the APC.
Expressing confidence in the party’s growing strength in the area, Idahosa said Ovia South West was poised to produce one of the highest vote tallies in the state in the next presidential election, citing the calibre of new entrants joining the party across the wards.
According to him, the influx into the APC reflects the people-oriented leadership of the Okpebholo administration, which he said had prioritised development through policies that address the needs of residents, including the renovation and construction of public schools and the creation of new opportunities across the state.
Also speaking, APC Chairman in Ovia South West, Mr Emmanuel Ogbomo, described the defection as a watershed moment, noting that key opposition leaders and grassroots mobilisers in the PDP and LP had now been fully integrated into the ruling party.
With the latest development, the APC has absorbed all LP ward chairmen and other elected officials in the area, as well as several PDP ward leaders, mobilisers and their supporters.
Leader of the Igbo community in the local government, Bernard Ololo, said the group decided to join the APC collectively, noting that remaining in opposition had not served their interests.
He said the community resolved to support Idahosa, with whom they share the same locality, stressing that the deputy governor has significant responsibilities as a leader.
Other political leaders who attended the event to welcome the defectors included the member representing the constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly, Hon. Sunday Aghedo; Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mr Ikponmwonsa Omorodion and Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Council, Hon. Nosakhare Edobor.
