These moves played a central role in shaping the year’s political events, reflecting a shift in alliances and a realignment of interests following the 2023 general elections.
Among the notable defectors were Pius Anyim, the former Senate President, who joined APC in July 2024 after a victory representing the PDP. He cited the need for unity in tackling national challenges as his reason for the switch.
Emeka Ihedioha, a former governor of Imo State, left the PDP in April 2024, sending a letter to his party’s chairperson. Ihedioha, who had contributed significantly to the party, expressed his decision to move on after years of dedication to the PDP.
Daniel Bwala, the former PDP presidential campaign spokesperson, also defected to APC, expressing unwavering support for President Tinubu’s governance approach. In November 2024, he was appointed as the Special Adviser for Media and Public Communications.
Ramalan Yero, ex-governor of Kaduna State, joined APC in February 2024, citing discussions with various political parties, including the ruling party, as reasons for his defection.
Sylvanus Nguji Ngele, a former PDP National Working Committee member, left the party in May 2024, joining APC along with other prominent Ebonyi State figures. His defection was driven by dissatisfaction with the PDP’s failure to nominate a governor from the Izzi clan, a goal achieved by the APC.
Senator Ezenwo Onyewuchi, representing Imo East on the Labour Party (LP) platform, also switched to APC, with his defection formally announced in the Senate.
The month of December 2024 saw further defections as four representatives from LP and one from PDP joined the APC, marking another significant shift in the political balance.
These defections reflect a broader trend in Nigerian politics, where party loyalty shifts are frequent, driven by various factors including political strategy, governance priorities, and the search for power and influence within the country’s complex political system.