President Bola Tinubu’s growing political clout appears to be reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape, with at least 12 lawmakers and several governors dumping their parties to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in a sweeping wave of defections.
In a major shift, ten National Assembly members from Akwa Ibom State, previously with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Young Progressives Party (YPP), have aligned with Governor Umo Eno in defecting to the APC.
This follows similar moves by Senators Neda Imasuen (Edo) and Ahmed Wadada (Nasarawa), who are also expected to formalise their exits from the Labour Party (LP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), respectively.
Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), confirmed the lawmakers’ planned defection in an interview with The Punch.
Those making the switch include Senators Ekong Sampson and Aniekan Bassey, and House of Representatives members Okpolupm Etteh, Paul Asuquo, Alphonsus Uduak, Ime Bassey, Martins Esin, Unyime Idem, and Mark Esset. Emmanuel Ukpongudo from YPP is also among the defectors.
The development comes just days after Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno officially resigned from the PDP and joined the APC, citing a desire to align with the federal government.
Eno emphasised the move followed “three months of wide consultations” with stakeholders and affirmed it as a step toward inclusive governance.
Unlike Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who defected with the full PDP structure in his state, Eno’s move has seen mixed reactions.
Three commissioners in his cabinet resigned in protest, while former governor and mentor Udom Emmanuel declined to attend the defection event, reaffirming loyalty to the PDP.
One lawmaker insisted their decision was not influenced by pressure.
“We left with the governor on June 6… including one YPP member. There was no pressure from any angle,” he said.
The defectors’ formal letters will be presented when the National Assembly resumes on June 17, sources confirmed.
In Edo State, Labour Party Senator Neda Imasuen announced plans to officially join the APC on June 12, blaming internal disarray in his party and saying the move would help better align his senatorial district with federal development goals under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Similarly, Nasarawa Senator Ahmed Wadada is expected to exit the SDP, citing “irreconcilable differences” with ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir el-Rufai, who recently joined the party.
Wadada, while acknowledging el-Rufai’s political stature, questioned his ideological stance and announced his intention to seek a more compatible platform.
