Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Six members of the House of Representatives from Oyo State have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Allied Peoples Movement.
The lawmakers formally announced their departure from the PDP during plenary on Tuesday, with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas reading their letters of defection following the House’s resumption from the Eid-el-Kabir break.
The defectors are Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle and Adigun Adekunle.
In separate letters, the lawmakers attributed their decision to the lingering internal crisis and leadership disputes within the PDP, saying the development had compelled them to seek a new political platform.
The move comes weeks after Governor Makinde exited the PDP for the APM and declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election. With the latest defections, six of the 14 members of the Oyo caucus in the House of Representatives have now aligned with the governor in the APM.
The wave of defections also reshaped party standings in other states as lawmakers switched allegiances across party lines.
In Bauchi State, Auwalu Gwalabe left the PDP for the APM, further strengthening the party’s presence in the lower chamber.
The PDP, however, recorded gains from rival parties. Katsina lawmaker Shehu Dalhatu, representing Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency, dumped the All Progressives Congress for the opposition party.
Explaining his decision, Dalhatu said, “After careful consideration of the issues in the APC and having consulted with my constituencies, I have resolved to join the PDP.”
The opposition party also welcomed Delta lawmaker Etanabene Benedict, who left the Labour Party, citing “the crisis in the LP,” in the South-South state.
Another lawmaker, Alex Egbona, switched from the APC to the PDP, while assuring constituents that his legislative responsibilities would remain unaffected.
In Edo State, Esosa Iyawe again changed political parties, this time leaving the APC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress. The lawmaker blamed “Irreconciliable difference with the Edo State chapter of the APC for his decision.”
Also, Nasarawa legislator Gbefwi Gaza announced his defection from the Social Democratic Party to the Labour Party.
