Defections Rock House of Representatives as Esosa Iyawe Joins NDC, Minority Leader Chinda Quits PDP, Six Oyo Lawmakers Dump Party

 Shockwave in Reps: Minority Leader Chinda Quits PDP as Mass Defections Hit National Assembly

A fresh wave of political realignments swept through Nigeria's House of Representatives today as Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while six lawmakers from Oyo State also abandoned the PDP for the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The defections, announced on the floor of the House, underscore the growing shifts taking place ahead of future political contests.

The developments also saw lawmakers moving across several political parties, including the APC, PDP, Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), APM, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

The most significant move of the day came from Kingsley Chinda, who served as the Minority Leader of the House under the PDP platform.

With his decision to join the APC, Chinda also relinquished his position as Minority Leader, creating a leadership vacancy within the opposition caucus. His departure is expected to spark discussions about the future direction and strength of the PDP in the lower chamber.

In another major development, six lawmakers from Oyo State dumped the PDP and joined the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

The lawmakers are:

Oyo PDP Lawmakers Who Joined APM

- Anthony Adebayo

- Adedeji Olajide

- Sunday Makanjuola

- Oyedeji Oyeshina

- Fola Oyekunle

- Adigun Adekunle

Their coordinated exit represents one of the largest single-party defections recorded in the House during the latest round of political movements.

While the APC gained one of the House's most prominent opposition figures in Kingsley Chinda, it also recorded losses with the departures of Alex Egbona, Shehu Dalhatu, and Esosa Iyawe from its ranks.

The PDP, on the other hand, suffered multiple exits, including the loss of its Minority Leader and several lawmakers from Oyo State and Bauchi. However, the party also attracted new members from the APC and Labour Party.

The Labour Party gained Gbefwi Gaza from the SDP but lost Etanabene Benedict to the PDP.

Today's movements highlight the fluid nature of party politics within the National Assembly, where lawmakers continue to reassess their political affiliations.

Full List of Defectors

1. Kingsley Chinda — PDP → APC

2. Anthony Adebayo — PDP → APM

3. Adedeji Olajide — PDP → APM

4. Sunday Makanjuola — PDP → APM

5. Oyedeji Oyeshina — PDP → APM

6. Fola Oyekunle — PDP → APM

7. Adigun Adekunle — PDP → APM

8. Auwalu Gwalabe — PDP → APM

9. Shehu Dalhatu — APC → PDP

10. Etanabene Benedict — Labour Party → PDP

11. Alex Egbona — APC → PDP

12. Esosa Iyawe — APC → NDC

13. Gbefwi Gaza — SDP → Labour Party

The latest changes could alter party strength, influence leadership positions, and reshape alliances within the House of Representatives. Attention is now likely to shift to how political parties respond to the changing numbers and whether additional defections will follow in the coming weeks.