Three Federal Lawmakers Defect from APC to ADC and PRP Amid Rising Political Realignments
Three House of Representatives members formally defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to opposition parties, citing internal tensions and primary outcomes. Hon. Abubakar Baba Zango and Hon. Abdullahi El-Rasheed joined the ADC, while Hon. Rabilu Bala moved to the PRP, highlighting significant political realignments within the APC.
Three members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have formally defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to opposition parties, signaling continued internal tensions within the party following recent primaries.
The lawmakers are Hon. Abubakar Baba Zango (Yola North/Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency, Adamawa State), Hon. Rabilu Bala (Jama’are/Itas-Gadau Federal Constituency), and Hon. Abdullahi El-Rasheed (Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency, Gombe State).
Their defections were announced during plenary and officially read on the floor of the House by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen. Hon. Zango and Hon. El-Rasheed joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), while Hon. Rabilu Bala defected to the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP).
The lawmakers cited political realignments and constituency considerations as key reasons for their decisions, with each noting dissatisfaction linked to developments within the APC structure in their respective areas.
Their letters indicated that staying within the ruling party was no longer politically viable given recent internal party dynamics.
In separate explanations, the lawmakers emphasized that their decisions were influenced by the need to align with the perceived interests of their constituents ahead of future elections.
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen acknowledged the defections during plenary and extended formal recognition of their new party affiliations. The development reflects a pattern of political movement within Nigeria’s legislature as parties reposition ahead of the next electoral cycle.