High-Profile PDP Federal Lawmakers Defect to APC Amid Party Turmoil

 

In a stunning political shift, two prominent federal lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), further intensifying the ongoing crisis within Nigeria’s main opposition party. The announcement, made on March 18, 2025, has sent ripples through the political landscape, highlighting the deepening fractures within the PDP and the growing influence of the APC. The defectors, Hon. Jallo Hussaini Mohammed and Hon. Adamu Tanko, bring their constituencies into the APC fold, marking a significant win for the ruling party as it consolidates power ahead of future elections.

Who Are the Defectors?

The lawmakers making this high-profile switch are:

1. Hon. Jallo Hussaini Mohammed – Representing Igabi Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, Mohammed has been a notable figure in the House of Representatives. His tenure in the PDP was marked by active engagement in legislative debates, but recent events have evidently pushed him toward a new political home.
2. Hon. Adamu Tanko – Representing Gurara/Suleja/Tafa Federal Constituency in Niger State, Tanko has similarly been a key player in the lower chamber. His departure from the PDP underscores the challenges facing the opposition in retaining its influential members.

The defections were formally announced on the floor of the House of Representatives by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who read the lawmakers’ defection letters during a plenary session. Both cited the internal strife within the PDP as the primary reason for their exit, pointing to a party plagued by division and instability.

Why the Defection?

In their statements, Mohammed and Tanko painted a picture of a PDP in disarray, unable to provide a stable platform for effective representation. “The ongoing crisis and internal divisions within the PDP have made it untenable for me to continue,” Mohammed wrote, emphasizing his need for a “more stable political platform” to serve his constituents. Tanko echoed this sentiment, noting that his decision came after “careful consideration and consultation” with his constituents, who he believes will benefit from alignment with the APC.

The PDP’s troubles are not new. Since losing power to the APC in 2015, the party has grappled with factionalism, leadership disputes, and a string of electoral setbacks. The 2023 elections further exposed these fault lines, with high-profile members like Nyesom Wike openly supporting the APC’s Bola Tinubu over the PDP’s Atiku Abubakar. The recent defections of Mohammed and Tanko are just the latest in a wave of exits, including those of other lawmakers from the PDP and Labour Party (LP) to the APC in recent months.

A Boost for the APC

For the APC, this development is a strategic victory. National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje has been credited with orchestrating a robust recruitment drive, pulling influential figures into the party’s ranks. The addition of Mohammed and Tanko strengthens the APC’s foothold in Kaduna and Niger States, key northern regions with significant electoral weight. Speaker Abbas welcomed the defectors warmly, urging APC members to embrace them and signaling the party’s openness to further expansion.

The timing of this move is notable, coming amid heightened political activity in Rivers State, where the PDP is also facing challenges. With Wike, now FCT Minister, reportedly on the brink of expulsion from the PDP for anti-party activities, the opposition’s grip on its traditional strongholds appears increasingly tenuous. The APC, under Tinubu’s administration, seems poised to capitalize on this disarray, bolstering its dominance as the 2027 elections loom on the horizon.

Reactions and Controversy

The defections have not gone uncontested. House Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda protested during the plenary, arguing that there was no verifiable evidence of a crisis within the PDP to justify the lawmakers’ departure. Under Nigerian law, defections are permitted if a party is factionalized, but Chinda’s objection suggests the PDP may challenge the legitimacy of this move. Legal battles over similar defections in the past—like those of Dino Melaye and Ali Ndume—have set precedents that could come into play if the PDP pursues this route.

Public sentiment, as reflected in online discussions, is mixed. Some Nigerians view the defections as opportunistic, with critics accusing politicians of switching parties for personal gain rather than principle. Others see it as a natural response to the PDP’s inability to resolve its internal conflicts, praising the lawmakers for aligning with a more stable platform.

Broader Implications

This wave of defections underscores a broader trend of political realignment in Nigeria. In recent months, the APC has welcomed lawmakers from multiple parties, including four LP members and another PDP representative in December 2024, as well as additional defectors in early 2025. The PDP’s loss of Mohammed and Tanko adds to its woes, potentially weakening its position in the National Assembly and its bargaining power in future coalitions.

For the APC, the gains are both numerical and symbolic. Keywords like “PDP lawmakers defect,” “APC gains,” and “Nigeria political crisis” are likely to dominate searches as this story unfolds, reflecting public interest in the shifting power dynamics. The defections also raise questions about the PDP’s viability as an opposition force, especially if it cannot stem the tide of departures.

What’s Next?

As of March 19, 2025, the political landscape remains fluid. The PDP must now decide whether to fight the defections legally or focus on rebuilding its fractured base. Meanwhile, the APC will likely continue its aggressive push to absorb disaffected opposition members, leveraging its control of federal resources and patronage networks.

For Mohammed and Tanko, the move to the APC offers a fresh start, but it also places them under scrutiny to deliver on their promises of improved representation. Their constituents in Kaduna and Niger will be watching closely to see if this shift translates into tangible benefits. As Nigeria navigates this period of political upheaval, the defections of these top PDP lawmakers to the APC mark a critical moment—one that could shape the country’s governance and electoral future for years to come.