Three members of the House of Representatives formally announced their defection from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to opposition parties on Wednesday. This move underscores the ongoing internal tensions and realignments within the APC following the party's recent primaries.

The lawmakers involved in the defection are Hon. Abubakar Baba Zango, who represents the Yola North/Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency of Adamawa State; Hon. Rabilu Bala, representing the Jama’are/Itas-Gadau Federal Constituency of Zamfara State; and Hon. Abdullahi El-Rasheed, representing the Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency of Gombe State.

Hon. Zango and Hon. El-Rasheed have joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Hon. Bala made the switch to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP). The defecting lawmakers cited various reasons for their decisions, including political considerations and the perceived approval of their constituents, particularly in light of the outcomes of the APC primaries.

Their respective letters of defection were formally read on the floor of the House during plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who himself represents Kaduna State under the APC platform. In his letter, Hon. Zango explained that recent developments within the APC in his constituency had made it impractical for him to continue pursuing his political aspirations under the party’s existing structure.

Similarly, Hon. Bala articulated that his decision to join the PRP was motivated by a desire to continue his political journey on a platform that he believes more accurately reflects the interests and wishes of his constituents.

Following the official announcement, Speaker Tajudeen acknowledged the defections and extended his best wishes to the lawmakers in their new political endeavors. This development is part of a broader trend of political realignments occurring within the APC, as numerous lawmakers and aspirants are re-evaluating their political positions and affiliations ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle, largely influenced by disputes and dissatisfactions stemming from the party's primary elections.