Barely 24 hours after opposition leaders unveiled the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as a new coalition platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027, seven members of the House of Representatives from Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, announced their defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). 

  The defectors include six lawmakers elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and one from the Young Progressives Party (YPP).  

  Among the PDP defectors are Unyime Idem, who represents Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency; Esin Etim, representing Mbo/Okobo/Oron/Udung Uko/Urue Offong/Oruko Federal Constituency; and Ekpo Asuquo from Etinan/Nsit Ibom/Nsit Ubium Federal Constituency.

Also joining the APC are Uduak Odudoh, who represents Ikot Abasi/Mkpat Enin/Eastern Obolo; Okpolupm Etteh, representing Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno/Onna, and Okon Bassey, from Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.

  Emmanuel Ukpong-Udo, who represents Ikono/Ini Federal Constituency and was elected on the platform of the YPP, also announced his defection to the ruling party.

  Their letters of defection were read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during plenary yesterday.  The lawmakers attributed their decision to divisions within their former parties and the need to align with the party at the centre.

  The mass defection occurred a day after former Senate President, David Mark, ex-governors Rauf Aregbesola and Rotimi Amaechi, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi joined forces to unveil ADC as the opposition’s rallying platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

  During the coalition launch in Abuja, the opposition leaders accused the Tinubu-led government of collapsing democratic institutions, entrenching insecurity, and worsening economic hardship. 

  Mark, who now serves as the Interim Chairman of the ADC, described the party as a fortress of democratic revival and urged Nigerians to rally behind it for a national rescue mission.