.. I think ADC is dead – Akpabio
By Sodiq Adelakun
The House of Representatives was thrown into political turbulence on Tuesday after at least 17 lawmakers formally defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in a move that further reshapes alignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
Their defections were announced on the floor of the House during plenary on Tuesday.
Also announced was the defection of Leke Abejide from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lawmakers who defected to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, Munachim Umezuruike.
Others are Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Murphy Omoruyi and Abdulhakeem Ado.
These defections further intensify the ongoing political alignments and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) appears to be “dead” following a fresh wave of defections by lawmakers to other political parties.
Akpabio made the remark during plenary on Tuesday after the Senate formally announced the defection of several lawmakers, including Senator Victor Umeh, who moved to the National Democratic Congress (NDC) amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Senate President, while reacting to the development, said the frequency of defections from the ADC had become unusual and disruptive, joking that lawmakers should simply compile their defection lists rather than announce them individually on the floor of the chamber.
“Maybe all those defecting from ADC should just compile everything in one paper… because I think ADC is dead,” he said, drawing reactions in the chamber.
He further questioned the repeated party-switching by lawmakers, describing it as excessive and unnecessary, adding that “some have defected three times in a month.”
Akpabio also suggested a more structured approach to handling defections in the legislature to reduce repetition during plenary announcements.
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The comments came shortly after the House of Representatives also witnessed a major political shift, where at least 17 lawmakers dumped the ADC for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), while another lawmaker moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defections were linked to internal crises within the ADC, with lawmakers citing unresolved leadership disputes and factional tensions as reasons for leaving the party.
