By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives on Tuesday witnessed fresh defections as about 17 lawmakers elected on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, formally announced the defections during plenary, signalling a growing shift within the opposition bloc.
Among those who changed party affiliation are Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande and Munachim Umezuruike.
Others include Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.
In a related development, the Speaker also disclosed that Leke Abejide defected from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress.
The wave of defections comes shortly after former presidential candidates, Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, exited the ADC for the NDC, a move that appears to be reshaping alignments ahead of future political contests.
Both leaders have since reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing what they described as a better Nigeria under the NDC platform.
