Party primaries trigger defection: 13 reps members quit APC, PDP

No fewer than 13 members of the 10th House of Representatives have formally quit to various political parties following the conclusion of party primaries, upon resumption from a four-week recess.

The Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, who presided over Tuesday’s plenary, read out all the notices of defection submitted by the lawmakers.

According to him, six lawmakers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Oyo State defected to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). They are Hon. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju (Ibarapa North Federal Constituency), Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide (Ibadan North-West), Hon. Makanjuola Sunday Ojo (Ogo Oluwa/Surulere Federal Constituency), Hon. Najimdeen Oyeshina Oyedeji (Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa), Hon. Folajimi Oyekunle (Ibadan North), and Hon. Abass Adekunle Adigun (Ibadan North-East/South-East).

Also from the PDP, Hon. Auwalu Abdu Gwalabe (Katagum Federal Constituency, Bauchi State) defected to the APM.

In a separate development, Hon. Etanabene Benedict (Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency, Delta State) moved from the Labour Party to the PDP.

Similarly, Hon. Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo State) left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the National Democratic Party (NDP).

Hon. Shehu Dalhatu Tafoki (Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency, Katsina State) defected from the APC to the PDP, while Hon. Gaza Jonathan Gbefwi (Keffi/Karu/Kokona Federal Constituency, Nasarawa State) moved from the SDP to the Labour Party.

Chairman, House Committee on Specialty Health Services, Hon. Alex Egbona (Abi/Yakurr Federal Constituency, Cross River State), also left the APC for the PDP.

Meanwhile, Hon. Sani Lawal (Zango/Baure Federal Constituency, Katsina State) announced his resignation from the APC but did not disclose his new political platform.

Similarly, Hon. Kingsley Chinda (PDP–Rivers), who resigned as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives with effect from April 23, 2026, also did not indicate the party he is aligning with.

In his resignation letter, Chinda described his tenure as Minority Leader as an honour, saying he remained committed to his legislative duties and to supporting the work of the House.

He, however, reportedly appeared before the APC Screening Committee of Governorship Aspirants ahead of the party primaries in Abuja, where he emerged as the APC governorship candidate via consensus.