The floor of the House of Representatives witnessed a significant political realignment on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, as six lawmakers officially dumped their respective parties for new affiliations.
The shift is being viewed by analysts as a major precursor to the 2027 general elections, particularly affecting the power dynamics in North-Western Nigeria.
The Kano NNPP Exodus
The most striking development involved the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State, which lost four key members to the African Democratic Congress (ADC):
- The Defectors: The lawmakers who made the move include Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (Kiru/Bebeji), Hon. Badamasi Ayuba (Dambatta/Makoda), Hon. Alhassan Rurum (Rano/Kibiya/Bunkure), and Hon. Tijjani Jobe (Dawakin Tofa/Tofa/Rimin Gado).
- The Motive: In a joint statement read during the plenary, the lawmakers cited “irreconcilable internal crises” and a lack of clear direction within the NNPP leadership as their primary reasons for leaving.
- ADC’s Growing Profile: By moving to the ADC, these influential Kano politicians are positioning the party as a “third force” in the state, potentially challenging the dominance of both the NNPP and the APC.
Other Notable Moves
The defection wave extended beyond Kano, involving two other members from different regions:
- Hon. Salman Idris (LP – Kogi): Representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu, Idris officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing the ongoing leadership tussle between the Nenadi Usman-led committee and the Julius Abure faction.
- Hon. Peter Uzokwe (YPP – Anambra): Representing Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo, Uzokwe moved from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), stating his desire to align his constituency with the “center” for better developmental representation.
The Speaker’s Ruling
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the session, officially acknowledged the letters of defection despite vocal protests from the minority leadership. The opposition argued that there were no verifiable “divisions” in the NNPP or LP to warrant the legal defection of the members, but the Speaker ruled that the constitutional requirements for the move had been met.
