ABUJA, Nigeria — In a fresh twist to the political realignments at the National Assembly, five members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one lawmaker from the Labour Party (LP) have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers announced their defection during Thursday’s plenary session in the House of Representatives, citing internal crises, leadership tussles, and what they described as a lack of direction within their former parties. Their letters of defection were read by the Speaker of the House, who welcomed them to the ruling party amid loud cheers from APC members and protests from the opposition bench.

The defectors explained that their decision to join the APC was driven by the desire to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and to align with the policies of the current administration aimed at repositioning the country for growth and stability.

One of the lawmakers, speaking to journalists shortly after plenary, said the defection was a “necessary step” to ensure better representation for their constituencies. “We believe the APC under President Tinubu is committed to rebuilding the economy, tackling insecurity, and creating opportunities for Nigerians. We want to be part of that process,” he said.

The Speaker of the House commended the lawmakers for their “courage and patriotic decision,” noting that the ruling party remained open to all Nigerians willing to contribute meaningfully to national development.

However, members of the opposition expressed displeasure over the move, accusing the defectors of betraying the trust of the electorate. Lawmakers from the PDP and LP insisted that the defectors had no moral or constitutional justification for abandoning the parties under which they were elected.

Political observers believe the development further strengthens the APC’s dominance in the House of Representatives and weakens the influence of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. Analysts also say the defections could reshape legislative dynamics and increase the ruling party’s control over key policy decisions in the coming months.

Reacting to the development, the All Progressives Congress, in a statement from its National Secretariat, described the defections as a vote of confidence in President Tinubu’s leadership. The party assured that it would continue to welcome “credible and patriotic Nigerians” who share in its vision for a united and prosperous nation.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party and the Labour Party have condemned the move, accusing the APC of political manipulation and vowing to challenge the defections in court. Both opposition parties argued that the lawmakers should vacate their seats in accordance with constitutional provisions.

The latest wave of defections highlights Nigeria’s ever-shifting political landscape as parties reposition ahead of the 2027 elections. It also reflects the growing influence of the ruling APC as it continues to attract lawmakers from rival political blocs in its bid to consolidate power and maintain its majority in the National Assembly.