Defections Rock House of Representatives as Kingsley Chinda Joins APC, Six Oyo Lawmakers Dump PDP for APM

A wave of defections swept through the House of Representatives on Tuesday as several lawmakers announced changes in their political affiliations, significantly altering the composition of parties in the Green Chamber.

The most notable development was the defection of Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Following his move, Chinda also resigned from his position as Minority Leader.

In another major shift, six lawmakers from Oyo State abandoned the PDP for the African Peoples Movement (APM). The lawmakers are Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle and Adigun Adekunle.

Also joining the APM from the PDP is Auwalu Gwalabe.

However, the PDP also recorded gains as some lawmakers moved into its fold. Shehu Dalhatu defected from the APC to the PDP, while Etanabene Benedict left the Labour Party (LP) for the PDP. Similarly, Alex Egbona switched from the APC to the PDP.

Elsewhere, Esosa Iyawe left the APC to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Gbefwi Gaza moved from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the Labour Party.

The latest defections underscore the ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of future electoral contests, with parties seeking to strengthen their positions through strategic alliances and membership gains.