Defections Rock House of Representatives as Chinda Joins APC, Oyo Lawmakers Dump PDP
By Ojo Evans
Abuja, Nigeria — A wave of high-profile defections swept through the House of Representatives on Tuesday, signaling a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future electoral contests.
In one of the most notable moves, the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinda, officially resigned his leadership position after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). His defection marks a major blow to the PDP’s influence in the lower chamber and raises fresh questions about the party’s internal cohesion.
Chinda’s departure was part of a broader trend that saw multiple lawmakers switch allegiances across party lines. In Oyo State, six members of the House of Representatives collectively exited the PDP for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), further weakening the PDP’s foothold in the South-West region.
The Oyo lawmakers who defected to the APM include Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle, and Adigun Adekunle. Their coordinated exit is being interpreted by political observers as a strategic realignment aimed at consolidating regional political interests under a new platform.
In Bauchi State, Auwalu Gwalabe also left the PDP to join the APM, adding to the party’s growing numbers in the House.
However, the defections were not one-sided. The PDP recorded gains as well, with Shehu Dalhatu of Katsina State defecting from the APC to the PDP. Similarly, Alex Egbona also crossed from the APC to the PDP, while Etanabene Benedict moved from the Labour Party to join the PDP, strengthening its ranks amid ongoing political shifts.
In Edo State, Esosa Iyawe defected from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Gbefwi Gaza of Nasarawa State switched from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the Labour Party (LP).
The series of defections highlights the fluid nature of party loyalty within Nigeria’s political system, where ideological differences often take a backseat to strategic positioning and electoral considerations. Analysts suggest that the movements may be early indicators of broader political recalibrations ahead of upcoming elections.
As the House of Representatives adjusts to the new alignments, attention is expected to focus on how these changes will impact legislative leadership, party dominance, and the passage of key bills in the months ahead.
Political stakeholders and citizens alike will be watching closely as the ripple effects of these defections continue to unfold within Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.