The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) is rapidly reshaping the opposition landscape in the National Assembly after a fresh wave of defections boosted its ranks and pushed it into fourth position in both chambers.
The surge in NDC’s ranks follows the recent exit of key opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the ADC, a move that triggered a chain reaction across both chambers.
No fewer than 20 lawmakers defected to the party on Tuesday, with the NDC now overtaking the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the House of Representatives and closing in on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In the Senate, the party’s numbers rose from one to three following the defection of Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) from the ADC and Senator Rufai Hanga (Kano Central) from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP). They now join Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), who moved earlier in March.
At the same time, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) exited the ADC for the Labour Party (LP), further weakening the party’s standing in the Red Chamber.
“My decision to resign my membership of ADC is effective immediately,” Abaribe said. “My decision is anchored on the now well-known leadership crisis within the party, occasioned by multiple legal issues.”
Umeh echoed similar concerns, blaming internal divisions and prolonged litigation within the ADC.
“I have taken this decision after wide consultations… in view of the lingering divisions in the leadership and unending litigation in the ADC,” he said.
Hanga, who defected from the NNPP, pointed to factional disputes and instability.
“The ongoing internal crisis… has created an unstable political environment that makes it impracticable to effectively discharge my legislative responsibilities,” he said.
The current Senate composition now stands at APC-88, ADC-8, PDP-4, NDC-3, with smaller parties and vacant seats making up the rest of the 109-member chamber.
In the House of Representatives, the shift was even more dramatic.
Seventeen lawmakers dumped the ADC for the NDC, while one moved to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing unresolved crises “from the national to ward levels.”
Among the defectors, Yusuf Umar Datti (Kano) said the instability in the ADC had made effective representation difficult, while Harris Okonkwo (Anambra) said his decision followed “wide consultations with political stakeholders and constituents.”
The latest numbers leave the APC firmly in control with 260 seats, followed by PDP-38, LP-21, NDC-17, NNPP-14, APGA-5 and others.
Despite the gains, the wave of defections has raised fresh concerns over party instability ahead of the 2027 general elections.
