The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has strengthened its hold on the National Assembly following a new round of defections, bringing its numbers to 87 senators and 261 members in the House of Representatives.
During plenary, six lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) joined the APC, including James Barka, Kwamoti Bitrus Laori, Zakaria Nyampa, Kobis Thimnu (all from Adamawa), Midala Balami (Borno), and Mohammed Bargaja (Sokoto).
Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) also gained six lawmakers from opposition parties, among them Afam Victor Ogene (Labour Party), Peter Anekwe (YPP), and Lilian Orogbu (LP), bringing its strength to nine senators and six House members. Lawmakers cited internal crises and irreconcilable differences in their former parties as reasons for their moves.
Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu stated that each defection is assessed constitutionally, noting a growing trend of lawmakers gravitating toward “progressive platforms” perceived to accelerate national development.