Nigerian Lawmakers Defect to New Parties Ahead of 2027 Polls

Several lawmakers in Nigeria's House of Representatives switched political parties on Tuesday, marking a fresh wave of defections as political alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections. The shifts occurred during the chamber's plenary session, which resumed following the Easter recess in Abuja.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu announced the defections by reading letters from the lawmakers on the floor, highlighting a pattern of movement between major and minor parties. He addressed concerns that such changes might signal a slide toward a one-party system, instead framing them as evidence of democratic vitality. "This is to show the country that no party is stifled," Kalu said. "People are leaving the majority party to the minority parties and the minority parties to the majority party. This is the beauty of democracy."

Among the notable changes, Thaddeus Attah, representing Eti-Osa Federal Constituency in Lagos State, left the Labour Party for the African Democratic Congress. In his letter, Attah cited the ongoing leadership crisis within the Labour Party as the primary reason, stating that it had hindered his ability to serve constituents effectively.