Babatunji Wusu –
-
Three House of Representatives members—Hon. Ajilesoro Taofeek Abimbola and Hon. Omirin Olusanya from Osun State, and Hon. Marcus Onobu from Edo State—defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on July 23, 2025.
-
Their defection letters, citing prolonged internal crises and divisions within PDP and a desire to support President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda, were read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary.
-
APC officials, including National Secretary Senator Suraj Ajibola, were present to witness the event.
-
Minority Leader Hon. Kingsley Chinda raised a constitutional point of order, demanding that the Speaker declare the defectors’ seats vacant under Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution.
-
Speaker Tajudeen acknowledged the point of order but took no immediate action on the demand.
On Wednesday, July 23, 2025, three lawmakers representing constituencies in Osun and Edo States officially defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking yet another shift in the political landscape of Nigeria’s House of Representatives. The defectors—Hon. Ajilesoro Taofeek Abimbola, Hon. Omirin Olusanya, and Hon. Marcus Onobu—formalized their change of allegiance through letters read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during a resumed plenary session.
The defecting lawmakers attributed their decision to the prolonged internal crises and unresolved divisions at the national level within the PDP, expressing a commitment to join President Bola Tinubu’s administration in efforts to reposition Nigeria’s economy. The presence of APC National Secretary Senator Suraj Ajibola and other senior party officials in the House chamber highlighted the ruling party’s enthusiasm over the defections.
In response, the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, referenced the constitutional provision—Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended)—which mandates that lawmakers who defect from the party platform on which they were elected must vacate their seats unless the defection follows a recognized party split. He urged Speaker Tajudeen to declare the seats of the defectors vacant and trigger by-elections. The Speaker acknowledged the point of order but did not indicate any steps toward enforcing it during the session.
This event continues a broader trend of defections weakening the opposition in Nigeria’s House of Representatives, further consolidating APC’s dominance ahead of upcoming electoral contests.
