Three Opposition Reps Dump PDP, NNPP for APC
Three members of the House of Representatives from opposition parties on Thursday defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmakers include Hon. Oluwole Oke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in Osun State; Hon. Kabiru Alhassan Rurum of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), representing Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya Federal Constituency in Kano State; and Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Rogo, also of the NNPP, representing Karaye/Rogo Federal Constituency in Kano.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read their letters of defection on the floor of the House, confirming their formal exit from their former parties.
Oke, a sixth-term lawmaker, said he reached the decision after consultations with political allies and constituents. He cited the need to align with the political realities of his people.
Rurum, a former Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly and ex-governorship aspirant, also said his defection was in the best interest of his constituency.
The APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, witnessed the defection alongside Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, and other party leaders.
The development is seen as part of the APC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its numbers in the National Assembly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The PDP and NNPP are yet to officially react, though opposition voices and civil society groups have condemned the wave of defections, accusing the ruling party of attempting to stifle multiparty democracy.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
