Six members of the House of Representatives from Oyo State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), in a move seen as a consolidation of Governor Seyi Makinde’s political influence.
The development was announced during Tuesday’s plenary session following the Sallah break, where Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read out multiple defection letters submitted by lawmakers across different political parties.
The Oyo lawmakers who switched allegiance to the APM include Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle, and Adigun Adekunle. In their separate letters, they cited ongoing internal crises and leadership disputes within the PDP as the reason for leaving the party.
The defections come shortly after Governor Makinde reportedly aligned with the APM ahead of the 2027 political cycle, a move that has now seen part of the Oyo State caucus in the House follow him to the new platform. With the latest shift, he is said to have secured the loyalty of six out of 14 federal lawmakers from the state.
Meanwhile, the House also witnessed a wider wave of party changes involving members from several political parties.
In Bauchi State, Auwalu Gwalabe moved from the PDP to the APM. In Katsina, Shehu Dalhatu left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the PDP, citing consultations with his constituents and internal party disagreements.
From Delta State, Etanabene Benedict defected from the Labour Party to the PDP, attributing his decision to internal crises within the party. In a separate development, Alex Egbona also left the APC for the PDP, stating his continued commitment to legislative duties.
Edo lawmaker Esosa Iyawe, who has changed party affiliation multiple times within three years, again defected from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, citing unresolved differences within the party structure.
In Nasarawa State, Gbefwi Gaza moved from the Social Democratic Party to the Labour Party.
The Speaker noted that a total of 13 defection letters were read on the floor of the House during the plenary session, reflecting ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
