JUST IN: Defections hit ADC as 17 lawmakers join NDC in House of Reps

At least 17 members of the House of Representatives have defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), in a development announced during plenary on Tuesday.

The lawmakers formally notified the House of their change in party affiliation in accordance with legislative procedure, adding to recent shifts in the political landscape within the lower chamber.

Those who moved to the NDC include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, Munachim Umezuruike, Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.

In a related announcement, Leke Abejide defected from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defections mark a notable realignment among lawmakers, though no official reasons were stated on the floor of the House at the time of the announcements.