The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is facing a fresh wave of defections as federal lawmakers from different parts of the country exit the party, citing internal crises, leadership struggles, and ongoing court cases.
The latest defections involve 17 members of the House of Representatives representing constituencies across Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, and Rivers States. Among them are Yusuf Datti (Kano), Harris Okonkwo (Anambra), Sani Adamu (Kano), Thaddeus Attah (Lagos), George Ozodinobi, the Deputy Minority Whip (Anambra), and Ifeanyi Uzokwe (Anambra), among others.
Others include Peter Anekwe, Zakari Mukhtari, George Olawande, Murphy Omoruyi, Umezuruike Manuchim, Emeka Idu, Jese Onuakalusi, Afam Ogene, and Kamilu Ado. Meanwhile, Leke Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency in Kogi State, has also left the ADC to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Many of the lawmakers attributed their departure to unresolved leadership disputes and persistent legal battles within the party, which they said had weakened internal cohesion and effectiveness.
In a related development, Kola Ologbondiyan, technical adviser on strategic communication to former Senate President David Mark, confirmed that the party leadership held a meeting with representatives of the defecting lawmakers at the ADC national secretariat in Abuja.
He shared the development on X, describing it as a “crucial meeting” between the party’s national chairman and the lawmakers’ representatives, although details of the discussions were not disclosed.
The ADC spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.
Meanwhile, the wave of defections continued in the Senate, where Tony Nwoye, senator representing Anambra North, formally announced his exit from the ADC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). His defection was read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Nwoye cited internal divisions and multiple court cases as reasons for his decision.
His move comes just a day after Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra Central, also defected to the NDC, pointing to similar issues within the party.
Earlier, Senator Rufai Hanga of Kano Central had also left the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the NDC, blaming internal conflicts and factional struggles.
The growing number of defections has raised fresh concerns about stability within opposition parties ahead of future elections, as political realignments continue to shape Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
