Twelve members of the House of Representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Labour Party, LP, and Young Progressives Party, YPP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC, citing irreconcilable differences and the need to better position their constituencies politically.

The defections were announced on the floor of the House by the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu.

Defectors from Adamawa State include: James Barka, Laori Bitrus, Zakaria Nyampa and Kobis Thimnu from the PDP to the APC. Midala Balami from Borno State and Mohammed Bargaja from Sokoto State also defected from the PDP to the APC.

From Anambra State, Peter Uzokwe moved from the Young Progressives Party to the African Democratic Congress, while Afam Ogene, Peter Aniekwe and Lilian Obageli Orogbu defected from the Labour Party to the ADC. Jessey Okei Onakalusi from Lagos State and Murphy Omoruyi Osaro from Edo State also moved from the Labour Party to the ADC.

The Deputy Speaker also announced nine other lawmakers who defected but were not present in the chamber. They include Hassan Hussein, Tijani Khali, Muhammed Bello Shehu, and Uchenna Okonkwo. He noted that they must appear before the House to confirm their decisions.