Defections hit APC, PDP as El-Rufai’s son, three Reps join new parties

Political realignments continued in the House of Representatives on Thursday as four lawmakers formally announced their defection from their parties amid growing internal disputes within Nigeria’s major political platforms.

Among those who switched parties was Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen, announced the defections during plenary after reading letters submitted by the affected lawmakers.

Bello El-Rufai defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Also joining the ADC were Umar Ajilo and Suleiman Yahaya Richifa, who both left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In another defection, Kamilu Ado from Kano State dumped the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Similarly, Joshua Obika, who represents the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory, resigned from the APC and joined the NDC.

The lawmakers blamed their decisions on lingering crises, divisions and instability within their former parties.

The latest defections are seen as part of broader political manoeuvrings ahead of future elections, as internal disagreements continue to trigger movements across party lines.