PDP, Labour Party Lose More Lawmakers Amid Coalition Moves Against Tinubu
- The PDP and the Labour Party each lost a member of the House of Representatives to the ruling APC on Tuesday, June 24
- Paul Nnamchi and Peter Akpanke formally announced their defection from the Labour Party and the PDP during the plenary
- Their defection came amid growing confidence within the coalition movement that the ruling APC would be defeated in the 2027 election
Two members of the House of Representatives from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers, Paul Nnamchi and Peter Akpanke, formally announced their defection from the Labour Party and the PDP during the plenary on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read their letters of defection on the floor of the House.
Source: Twitter
Vanguard reported that Akpanke of the PDP is a lawmaker representing Obanliku/Obudu/Bekwara Federal Constituency of Cross River state. On the other hand, Nnamchi, who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party, represents the Enugu East/Isi Uzo Federal Constituency in Enugu state.
Why PDP, Labour Party lawmakers joined APC
The defectors explained that their decision to switch parties was due to the internal crises plaguing their former parties. They also cited a desire to support and align themselves with the programmes and policies of the APC-led administration.
APC members in the House of Representatives greeted their decisions with applause. The speaker then congratulated the new lawmakers on their new political move.
This development came amid growing confidence within the coalition movement that President Tinubu would not be re-elected in the 2027 general election. The movement is being spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the immediate past Governor of Kaduna state, Nasir El-Rufai.
El-Rufai: Nigerians have lost interest in APC
Recently, El-Rufai claimed that Nigerians are no longer interested in the ruling APC, adding that many citizens have turned against the party. He stated that the Nigerian people are now seeking alternatives, leaders who can set aside their differences for the good of the country.
El-Rufai, one of the leaders of the coalition movement seeking to register a new political party known as the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), explained that individuals from diverse political and ideological backgrounds have united with a common goal: to secure the party’s registration.
El-Rufai emphasised that the movement is not centred on political parties, but rather a collective effort involving individuals from diverse backgrounds. He disclosed that the coalition includes members from the camps of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, as well as former ministers who served under ex-President Muhammadu Buhari. He further clarified that he is not representing the Social Democratic Party (SDP).
Source: Twitter
Indigenisation law: Deputy speaker called out
Legit.ng earlier reported that the House of Representatives deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, was told to withdraw his proposed indigenisation bill in the constitutional amendment process.
The bill, which sought to make anyone who has spent up to 10 years in a state an indigene of that state, was said to be a threat to ancestral sovereignty, which can ignite political and ethnic crisis.
Barrister Oladotun Hassan, the president general of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, in an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, called for the immediate withdrawal of the bill.
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Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
