The House of Representatives witnessed a dramatic reshuffle today as a wave of defections saw six lawmakers from Oyo State dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), alongside several other cross‑party moves across the chamber.
The most high-profile change saw Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda leave the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), a switch that automatically triggers his resignation as Minority Leader and opens up a tussle for new opposition leadership in the House. His move underscores the shifting power dynamics and growing realignments ahead of future political battles.
From Oyo State, Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle and Adigun Adekunle all formally announced their defection from the PDP to the APM, giving the smaller party a significant boost in representation and influence. Their exit represents a major blow to the PDP’s strength in the state’s delegation and could reshape alliances within key House committees.
Beyond Oyo, the wave of defections cut across several parties and regions. Auwalu Gwalabe from Bauchi left the PDP for the APM, while Shehu Dalhatu of Katsina moved in the opposite direction, dumping the APC for the PDP. Etanabene Benedict from Delta also crossed over from the Labour Party to the PDP, and Alex Egbona left the APC to join the PDP, further bolstering the latter’s ranks.
There were movements outside the two main parties as well. Esosa Iyawe from Edo State defected from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Gbefwi Gaza of Nasarawa shifted from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the Labour Party (LP).
