Opposition Bleeds Again As APC Snatches Two Lawmakers In Surprise Move

Peter Akpanke and Paul Nnamchi, both members of the House of Representatives, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akpanke, who represents the Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara federal constituency in Cross River State, was elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Nnamchi, representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo in Enugu State, was formerly with the Labour Party (LP).

Their defections were formally announced by House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during Tuesday’s plenary session. Akpanke attributed his move to internal conflicts within the PDP, whereas Nnamchi cited a leadership crisis in the LP as his reason for leaving.

This development is part of a broader trend of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections. For instance:

• On October 2, 2024, Chris Nkwonta (Ukwa East/Ukwa West, Abia) moved from PDP to APC.

• On October 30, Sulaiman Abubakar (Gummi/Bukkuyum, Zamfara) also defected to the APC.

• By December 5, four LP lawmakers and one PDP member had joined the APC.

The wave continued into 2025:

• February 11–12: Amos Magaji (Kaduna) and Garba Koko (Kebbi) left PDP for APC.

• March 18: Jallo Mohammed (Igabi, Kaduna) and Adamu Tanko (Gurara/Suleja/Tafa, Niger) cited PDP’s internal crisis in their defection to the APC.

• March 27: Clara Nnabuife (Orumba North/South, Anambra) left the Young Progressives Party for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), citing marginalization.

On May 6, six PDP lawmakers joined the APC, while two LP members switched to the PDP:

• Obetta Chidi (Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South, Enugu) and Dennis Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu) moved from LP to PDP.

• Victor Nwokolo (Ika North East/Ika South, Delta), Julius Pondi (Burutu), Thomas Ereyitomi (Warri federal constituencies), Nicholas Mutu (Bomadi/Patani), and Ezechi Nnamdi (Ndokwa/Ukwuani) all defected from the PDP to APC.

• Ukodhiko Jonathan (Isoko North/Isoko South) left APC for the PDP.

On May 8, three PDP lawmakers from Katsina defected to the APC:

• Abdullahi Balarabe (Bakori/Danja) cited the PDP’s prolonged instability.

• Abubakar Albaba Aliyu (Batasari/Safana/Dan-Musa) criticized the party’s disunity.

• Yusuf Majigiri (Mashi/Dutsi) blamed unresolved internal strife.

On May 15, Kabiru Usman (Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya) and Abdullahi Sani (Karaye/Rogo), both from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), joined the APC.

Later in May, Oluwole Oke (Osun) and Sunday Umeha (Enugu) also left PDP for the APC. On May 28, Okolie Lawrence and Akingbaso Olanrewaju defected from the LP and PDP, respectively, to join the ruling party.

These continued defections underscore the fluid political landscape as preparations intensify for the 2027 elections.