Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso exit have triggered mass defections and weakened ADC in National Assembly.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the departure of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso has significantly weakened the African Democratic Congress (ADC) across both chambers of the National Assembly, as a wave of defections reshapes Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
The National Democratic Congress (NDC), which formally received Obi and Kwankwaso on Sunday, recorded major gains within 48 hours, welcoming 17 members of the House of Representatives and one senator. The party had earlier strengthened its ranks with the defection of Seriake Dickson from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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The development comes days after opposition parties agreed to field a single presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, signaling intensifying realignments within the political space.
Lawmakers from Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, and Kogi states cited deep internal crises within the ADC as the primary reason for their exit. While reading their defection letters during plenary, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu noted that the instability within the party spanned from ward to national levels and remained unresolved.
Among those who defected to the NDC are Yusuf Datti, Sani Adamu, Zakari Mukhtari, Kamilu Ado, Harris Okonkwo, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Peter Anekwe, Emeka Idu, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, Thaddeus Attah, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, George Olwande, Jese Onuakalusi, Murphy Omroruyi, and Umezuruike Manuchim. In a separate move, Kogi lawmaker Leke Abejide defected from the ADC to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The coordinated defections are widely seen as a ripple effect of Obi and Kwankwaso’s exit, reflecting their strong political influence in the South-East and North-West regions respectively. Their move to the NDC has positioned the party as a growing platform for opposition consolidation.
The ADC’s crisis, fueled by leadership disputes, strategic disagreements, and internal rivalries, had intensified in recent months. Efforts to build a unified opposition front reportedly collapsed amid tensions involving Obi, Kwankwaso, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over zoning and party control.
With the exit of key figures and lawmakers, the ADC’s legislative strength has sharply declined from 24 House members to just six. The PDP has also seen a reduction in its numbers, dropping from 116 members at the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly in 2023 to 29.
Meanwhile, Senate President Godswill Akpabio openly mocked the ADC during plenary, describing the party as “dead” amid the wave of defections. He made the remark after announcing the defection of lawmakers, including Victor Umeh, who cited internal crises and ongoing litigation within the party as reasons for leaving.
In his resignation letter, Umeh said the ADC’s leadership divisions made continued membership untenable, affirming his commitment to national development under the NDC platform.
The NDC’s National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu, stated that discussions on automatic tickets for defecting lawmakers have not yet taken place, emphasizing that the party is focused on strengthening its national appeal.
In Kano, members of the Kwankwasiyya movement have begun exiting the ADC, with key loyalists aligning with Kwankwaso in the NDC. Party officials in the state confirmed that internal disputes over leadership have now been resolved, recognizing Kwankwaso as the leader of the party in Kano.
In Anambra, over 23 aspirants have reportedly left the ADC, citing uncertainty over the party’s stability and electoral prospects. Party insiders noted that many of those exiting are loyal to Obi and are seeking more stable platforms ahead of 2027.
Despite the setbacks, the ADC leadership insists it remains strong. National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi dismissed concerns over the defections, stating that the party’s strength lies in its core values rather than individual politicians.
Similarly, the ADC in Rivers State reaffirmed its unity, stressing that its grassroots structures across all local government areas remain intact and resilient amid the national shake-up.
