In a fresh wave of defections at the National Assembly, three members of the House of Representatives, one from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and two from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have officially joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defecting lawmakers are Oluwole Oke, representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State under the PDP, and two NNPP legislators from Kano State, Kabiru Rurum and Abdullahi Rogo.

Their decisions were formally announced during Thursday’s plenary session.

House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read out the letters from the lawmakers, marking their official departure from their previous parties and entrance into the APC.

Oke, a veteran lawmaker serving his sixth term, had earlier hinted at his intention to exit the PDP.

On April 23, he publicly expressed his readiness to leave, following discussions with his inner political circle.

He said he reached the decision after “consulting with his political associates, friends, and family members.”

Adding to the significance of the event, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje was present in the chamber to witness the defections.

He was accompanied by the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, and other party leaders from Kano.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has been declared Nigeria’s coalition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The announcement was made by the party’s National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, during a National Executive Committee meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

Expressing concern over Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions, Nwosu emphasized the urgent need for good governance, which he described as essential to improving citizens’ lives.

He decried the increasing hardship faced by Nigerians and the alarming growth in poverty across the country.

Nwosu referenced the coalition formed last year, on March 20, 2023, which brought together Atiku Abubakar (PDP), Peter Obi (Labour Party), and Nasir El-Rufai (Social Democratic Party) to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

That coalition sparked widespread discussions about the need for unity among opposition parties.

Speaking through Mani Ahmed, Chairman of the ADC Board of Trustees, Nwosu said, “This consensus building, though very painstaking, has taken some time in the pipeline.”

“I can categorically today, by the grace of God, inform you that the African Democratic Congress is the coalition party in Nigeria. What remains to be done is nothing other than dotting the I’s and crossing the G’s.”

He added, “For us, this is a momentous occasion. This is a great opportunity for the party to involve and accommodate all Nigerians.”

“And by this gesture, we are inviting every Nigerian that has the love of this country in their heart to join us in this new crusade to bring about an enduring democratic change in our country by coming into our party, the African Democratic Congress, which can easily be seen as the African Democratic Coalition.”

The ADC chairman pledged that the party would stay committed to the idea of a united Nigeria, where all citizens can live and work freely.

He lamented the country’s steady decline and stressed that normal life has become increasingly difficult.

“We have watched over the years how things have gradually deteriorated to the extent that normal existence is becoming more and more difficult,” he said.

Referencing recent statistics, Nwosu noted that “about 5 million Nigerians have been added to the list of poverty-stricken people in the world on an annual basis. Now this is sad for a country that is richly endowed with enormous resources.”

He stressed the critical role of governance in reversing the country’s fortunes, saying, “There cannot be any other way to bring about change in the lives of our people that is better than providing good governance.”

“And this governance can only happen when you have the right people playing their part in the political process. ADC has over the years remained a formidable platform in the process of re-engineering Nigeria.”

Highlighting the party’s long-standing dedication, he stated, “Within the past 20 years of our existence, we have shown commitment to national growth.”

“We have exhibited the highest levels of nationalism and patriotism. And we have made several sacrifices to ensure that we bequeath to our next generation a country better than the one we have met.”

Though ADC has yet to lead at the federal level, Nwosu expressed hope that 2027 will present a turning point for the party.

“The journey that created this opportunity started a very long time ago. And we have had several meetings at the party in order to open up the party, re-engineer our processes, and be able to accommodate the teeming members of the political class that are willing and have lined up to join our great party, the African Democratic Congress,” he explained.

He noted that significant reforms have taken place in recent months to prepare the party for this expanded coalition.

“Within this month that we are discussing, the party has gone through lots of transformational phases, part of which has resulted in what we are going to actualise today, which is the final phase of the opening up of our party to accommodate the new people that are coming in.”

Nwosu concluded by urging civil society and grassroots organizations to actively participate in nation-building efforts, saying, “The politicians can’t do it alone and as such, in this process and this journey, we have also involved the civil society organisations as well as grassroots organisations. Because ADC strongly believes that all politics is grassroots politics.

“And we are happy that most of our grassroots and civil society partners are here with us and they’ve been part of this journey and they have exhibited great commitment and resilience over the months. And that has certainly reassured that the objective is very much achievable. We are building consensus.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has pledged to rally 35 million Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections in a bid to oust the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and stop President Bola Ahmed Tinubu from securing a second term, should he contest.

The party’s National Chairman, Ralphs Okey Nwosu, made this assertion during the ADC Global Summit held in Abuja on Wednesday.

Questioning the strength of a mandate garnered from under 10 million votes in a country with over 88 million registered voters in the lead-up to the 2023 polls, Nwosu emphasized the need for a stronger, broader democratic participation.

He said the ADC is taking steps to position itself as a formidable challenger in 2027 by re-engaging a disillusioned electorate and reversing the trend of voter apathy.

“Our strategy includes targeting Nigerians who have abstained from voting due to disillusionment, as well as engaging young people who turned 18 between 2023 and now,” he said.

Nwosu disclosed that civil society groups that joined the ADC recently have already made significant impact.

“Civil societies are already organising. They just joined us not more than six months ago but by now, their membership is over five million. They are going to pull out 20 million,” he said.

He stressed that the party’s target of 35 million voters is only a baseline estimate, stating: “The 35 million benchmark is just an understatement because of some of the challenges we have in this country. For the first time, the next president of Nigeria will win clearly.”

To strengthen its chances, the ADC is forging alliances across party lines.

“We are bringing many political parties together and I can assure you without mincing words, you’re going to see the biggest coalition of patriots, people-driven coalition,” Nwosu added.

A heated confrontation broke out in the Edo State House of Assembly on Tuesday following the nomination of Hon. Ojie Eugene Inegbeboh as Minority Whip by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The commotion began after the Speaker, Hon. Blessing Agbebaku, read a letter from Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, the state PDP caretaker committee chairman, putting forward Inegbeboh of the Igueben Constituency to replace Hon. Yekini Idaiye, who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Agbebaku noted that the PDP had carried out necessary consultations before nominating Inegbeboh.

Attempts by some legislators to oppose the move were quickly dismissed by the Speaker.

Tensions reached a boiling point when Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Addeh Isibor Emakhu, challenged the legitimacy of Aziegbemi’s authority.

He argued that, based on existing court rulings, the rightful leader of the party in the state is Dan Orbih, the PDP South-South zonal vice chairman.

He asserted that “no illegitimate officer” should be recognized to influence the composition of both APC and PDP representation in the House.

In a sharp rebuttal, Minority Leader, Hon. Charity Ighodalo accused Emakhu of spreading falsehoods within the chamber.

She cautioned: “Misinformation is an offence.”

The exchange led to a noisy scene, forcing the Speaker to call the House to order.

He sternly urged lawmakers to maintain discipline.

“This is indiscipline in the chamber. Please respect the gavel,” Agbebaku stated.

“Anyone aggrieved should go to court. I have no business with PDP affairs because I am in the APC.”