By Ghazali Ibrahim
The House of Representatives recorded a fresh wave of political defections last week, with 21 lawmakers switching parties during plenary sessions held between June 2 and June 4, 2026.
The lawmakers cited reasons ranging from internal crises and leadership disputes to factionalisation within their former political parties.
According to figures released by the House, the Allied People’s Movement (APM) emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the defections, gaining 11 members. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and Social Democratic Party (SDP) also gained lawmakers.
On the losing end, the PDP recorded the highest number of defections, with 12 members leaving the party. The All Progressives Congress (APC) lost seven lawmakers, while the Labour Party and SDP each lost one member.
The latest political realignments have increased the number of parties currently represented in the House of Representatives to 12. The parties with representation in the 10th Assembly are Accord Party (AP), Action People’s Party (APP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), Allied People’s Movement (APM), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
The House noted that the development further strengthens the presence of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) in the chamber and broadens political representation within the legislature.
It also highlighted that the Young Progressives Party (YPP) remains the only party to have completely lost representation in the 10th Assembly. The party began the Assembly with three members, all of whom have since defected to other political platforms.
With 12 political parties now represented, the House said the 10th Assembly remains one of the most politically diverse in Nigeria’s recent parliamentary history, reflecting ongoing shifts and alliances within the country’s political landscape.
