The All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded another round of defections in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, with three federal lawmakers abandoning the ruling party for the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), amid mounting political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections.
The latest exits came just a day after the National Assembly resumed plenary following the Sallah break, at a time when political consultations, alliance-building and party realignments are gathering momentum across the country.
One of the defectors, Hon. Rabilu Bala, who represents Jama’are/Itas-Gadau Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, formally announced his departure from the APC for the PRP.
His letter of resignation, read on the floor of the House by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, stated that the decision was reached after extensive consultations with stakeholders in his constituency and was driven by concerns over developments within the ruling party.
According to the letter, the move was influenced by “concerns over developments within the party at both the state and national levels.”
Bala also cited persistent disagreements within the APC and said he believed the PRP would offer a more suitable platform through which he could advance the interests of his constituents.
In a separate development, Hon. Abubakar Zango, representing Yola North/Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency of Adamawa State, also formally severed ties with the APC and joined the ADC.
Explaining his decision in a letter to the House, Zango said the move was motivated by his personal convictions and a desire to act in what he described as the national interest.
Despite changing parties, he assured constituents that his legislative duties would not be affected, promising continued dedication to effective representation and democratic values.
Read also: Four sentenced to death over Owo Catholic Church massacre, fifth suspect freed
The ADC also gained another member when Hon. Abdullahi, representing Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency of Gombe State, announced his resignation from the APC and subsequent defection to the opposition party.
The latest departures add to the wave of political movements being witnessed across party lines as politicians position themselves for the next electoral cycle.
Although the APC still enjoys a commanding presence in the National Assembly, the recurring defections have drawn attention to internal challenges in some state chapters, particularly over leadership disputes, succession battles and questions surrounding internal democracy.
For the PRP, the addition of Bala is seen as part of the party’s ongoing efforts to regain relevance in northern Nigeria. The party traces its roots to the political movement established by the late Mallam Aminu Kano and has recently intensified efforts to rebuild its grassroots structures.
The ADC, meanwhile, continues to attract politicians seeking alternatives to the country’s dominant parties as coalition talks among opposition figures gather pace ahead of the 2027 contest.
Political analysts say the latest defections could be a precursor to wider shifts across the political landscape as parties fine-tune strategies, forge alliances and strengthen structures in preparation for the next general election.
While some lawmakers publicly attribute their departures to internal disputes, observers believe many are also positioning themselves within emerging political blocs expected to play significant roles in the race for power.
The APC leadership has consistently dismissed concerns over recent defections, maintaining that the party remains cohesive and firmly in control despite the exits.
Opposition parties, however, argue that the growing movement of politicians away from the ruling party reflects increasing dissatisfaction within its ranks and presents an opportunity to broaden their influence nationally.
With the countdown to the 2027 elections already shaping political calculations, attention is expected to remain focused on the National Assembly and other centres of power as parties continue efforts to consolidate support and redefine alliances.
The post APC suffers fresh setback in House of Reps as three lawmakers defect to PRP, ADC appeared first on Latest Nigeria News | Top Stories from Ripples Nigeria.
English (US) ·