The wave of defections in the House of Representatives continued on Wednesday as three lawmakers from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing irreconcilable internal crises within their party.
The defectors include Hon. Taofik Ajilesoro (Ife Central/East/North/South Federal Constituency, Osun State), Hon. Omirin Olusanya (Atakunmosa East/West/Ilesa East/Ilesa West Federal Constituency, Osun State), and Hon. Marcus Onobun (Esan Central/West/Igueben Federal Constituency, Edo State).
Their defection letters were read on the floor of the House during Wednesday’s plenary by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
In his letter, Hon. Ajilesoro explained that his decision to dump the PDP followed “careful consideration and extensive consultations” with political associates and constituents, noting that deep-seated divisions within the party had rendered continued affiliation untenable.
“My constituents and I believe aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s economic recovery agenda will better serve our interests and help attract development to our communities,” he stated.
Hon. Olusanya also attributed his defection to the PDP’s prolonged leadership crisis, which he said had stalled meaningful political engagement.
“This decision is premised on the protracted crisis within the party at the national level, which has become irreconcilable, and it is clear that my political future is no longer served within the party,” he noted.
Similarly, Hon. Marcus Onobun, a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, declared his defection from the PDP to the APC, describing the PDP as a “collapsed national platform.”
He said he was inspired by the leadership style of President Tinubu and commended the performance of the Speaker of the House and the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
“I’m convinced that aligning with the APC at this time is in the best interest of my people. This move will enhance my capacity to deliver dividends of democracy and attract sustainable development to my constituency,” Onobun stated.
The latest defections come just a day after Hon. Mark Udo Esset (Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency, Akwa Ibom State) also dumped the PDP for the APC during Tuesday’s plenary. Esset, who chairs the House Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations, cited crisis within the PDP as the reason for his switch.
However, Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda challenged Esset’s defection, invoking constitutional provisions and urging the presiding officer, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, to declare the seat vacant. His point of order was overruled.
These developments are the latest in a series of defections that have reshaped the House’s political configuration, especially in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.
Just three weeks earlier, seven lawmakers from Akwa Ibom State—six from the PDP and one from the Young Progressives Party (YPP)—also crossed over to the APC.
The defectors included:
Hon. Unyime Idem (Ukanafun/Oruk Anam)
Hon. Esin Etim (Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue Offong/Oruko)
Hon. Ekpo Asuquo (Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium)
Hon. Uduak Odudoh (Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo)
Hon. Okpolupm Etteh (Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno/Onna)
Hon. Okon Bassey (Itu/Ibiono Ibom)
With the latest defections, the APC continues to consolidate its grip on the House, amid growing political realignments ahead of the next election cycle.
Leave a Reply