Embattled African Democratic Congress, on Tuesday, lost two Senators and 18 House of Representatives members to the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress and other parties in the National Assembly.
ADC also slashed the cost of its nomination forms with presidential nomination forms to go for N90 million, instead of N100 million; N30 million for governorship instead of 50 million, N10 million for Senate instead of N20 million; N5 million for House of Representatives rather than N10 million; and N2 million for State Houses of Assembly instead of the initial N3 million fixed.
The defection of the lawmakers followed Sunday’s movement of former ADC leaders and presidential hopefuls, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso and Peter Obi to the NDC.
Citing leadership crises and internal disputes, Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial district, defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, while Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South Senatorial District, defected to the Labour Party.
The House of Representatives which witnessed a fresh wave of defections with no fewer than 18 lawmakers announcing their exit from the ADC, with 17 joining the National Democratic Congress and one defecting to the All Progressives Congress.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the defections in separate letters at plenary.
Umeh, in his letter of defection, said the decision was reached after extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including his family, constituents, and political allies.
“I have taken this decision after wide consultations with my family, my constituents, and supporters in view of the lingering divisions in the leadership and unending litigations in the African Democratic Congress,” Umeh said.
Abaribe in his letter, said his resignation from the ADC, takes immediate effect saying his defection was based on what he described as a deepening leadership crisis within the party.
“My decision is anchored on the now well-known leadership crisis within the ADC, occasioned by multiple legal issues besetting the party,” he said.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, threw jabs at the ADC saying the party is dead following the mass defections.
Akpabio made the remark while presiding over plenary, shortly after the Senate formally announced the defection of the senators.
He said, “Resignation from ADC and declaration for Labour Party. Maybe all those defecting from ADC should just compile everything in one paper and bring, so that we don’t keep announcing, announcing, announcing. Because I think ADC is dead,” Akpabio said, drawing reactions in the chamber.”
Defectors from the House of Reps were drawn from Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo and Rivers states.
Their letters were read separately on the floor of the House during plenary, attributing their decisions to what they described as unresolved internal crises within the ADC.
They said the challenges, which cut across national and ward levels of the party, had hampered their ability to effectively serve their constituents.
Rep Yusuf Umar Datti, representing Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam Federal Constituency of Kano State, said the lingering instability in the party informed his decision to leave.
Similarly, Rep Harris Okonkwo, who represents Idemili North/Idemili South Federal Constituency of Anambra State, said his defection followed wide consultations with political stakeholders and constituents.
Other lawmakers who moved from ADC to NDC include Sani Adamu (Minjibir/Ungogo, Kano); Thaddeus Attah (Eti-Osa, Lagos); Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi (Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia, Anambra); Lilian Obiageli (Awka North/Awka South, Anambra); and Oluwaseyi Sowunmi (Ojo, Lagos).
Also among the defectors are Peter Anekwe (Anambra East/West); Zakari Umar Mukhtari (Tarauni, Kano); George Olawande (Amuwo Odofin, Lagos); Murphy Osaro Omoruyi (Egor/Ikpoba-Okha, Edo); Umezuruike Manuchim (Port Harcourt I, Rivers); Emeka Idu (Onitsha North/South, Anambra); and Jesse Onuakalusi (Oshodi-Isolo, Lagos).
Others are Ifeanyi Uzokwe (Nnewi North/South/Ekwusigo, Anambra); Afam Ogene (Ogbaru, Anambra); and Kamilu Ado (Wudil/Garko, Kano).
Rep Leke Abejide, representing Yagba Federal Constituency, also announced his defection from the ADC to the APC.
Reacting to the development, some lawmakers expressed concern over the growing trend of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that party instability remains a major factor driving defections in the National Assembly.
Speaker of the House of Representatives acknowledged the letters and wished the defecting lawmakers well in their new political parties, in line with parliamentary tradition.
The ADC yesterday also released an updated schedule of activities for its 2026 primary elections, alongside revised costs for nomination forms, following consultations with party leaders, aspirants, and stakeholders across the country.
This was made known to journalists by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi in a statement on Tuesday.
Under the updated timetable, the sale of nomination forms will take place from May 1 to May 4, 2026, while the purchase and submission of completed forms will run from May 6 to May 13, 2026, with May 13 set as the final deadline for submission.
He said the screening of aspirants is scheduled for May 14 and May 15, 2026, with the publication of screening results on May 17, 2026. Appeals will be heard between May 18 and May 19, 2026, while the final list of cleared aspirants will be published on May 20, 2026.
Primary elections for State Houses of Assembly, the House of Representatives, and the Senate will be held on May 21, 2026, followed by governorship primaries on May 22, 2026.
The presidential primary election is scheduled for May 23, 2026. This will be followed by the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on May 25, 2026, and the Special National Convention on May 26, 2026.
The party however retains its framework of providing a 50 percent discount for youth aspirants between the ages of 18 and 35, and a 25 percent discount for women and persons living with disabilities.
Abdullahi said the adjustments reflected “the outcome of broad-based consultations aimed at strengthening internal democracy, improving access, and ensuring that the ADC continues to provide a credible and inclusive platform for political participation.”
