Adamu Atiku Abubakar resigns from PDP as multiple senators and House members defect to ADC, APC, and NDC, reshaping Nigeria’s opposition landscape

The Nigerian opposition landscape underwent a dramatic shift on Thursday as multiple senators and House of Representatives members announced defections, while Adamu Atiku Abubakar, son of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Also read: Lagos Lawmakers Approve Adelabu as LASPA GM, Settle LASUSTECH Land Row

In the Senate, 10 lawmakers declared their defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), instantly altering the minority bloc. Notable defections included former Sokoto State Governor and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives Senator Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), and Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT).

Others included Senators Tony Nwoye, Lawal Adamu Usman, Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo, Augustine Akobundu, and Binos Yaroe.

Most cited internal party crises, leadership disputes, and persistent litigations as reasons for leaving.

Tambuwal lamented “prolonged internal divisions” that eroded PDP cohesion, while Kingibe described unresolved leadership conflicts in the Labour Party as her reason for exit.

However, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) faced a unique challenge after defecting from All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio gave Abaribe seven days to produce evidence of expulsion from APGA or risk losing his seat, citing Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which requires lawmakers to vacate seats if they defect from non-divided parties.

In the House of Representatives, 12 lawmakers also announced defections to ADC and APC. Among them were Hon. James Barka, Hon. Laori Bitrus, Hon. Zakaria Nyampa, and Hon. Midala Balami from Borno State, and Hon. Peter Uzokwe from YPP who moved to ADC.

Meanwhile, Adamu Atiku Abubakar formally resigned from PDP in a letter dated March 4, 2026, addressed to the party chairman in Jada 1 Ward.

He thanked party members for their support but did not disclose his next political affiliation.

With these movements, ADC has overtaken PDP as the leading opposition party in the Senate, holding nine seats compared with PDP’s seven, while the ruling APC retains a commanding majority with 87 of 109 seats.

Also read: Tinubu Renews Call for State Police, Backs Lawmakers’ Continuity

The defections signal a potential realignment in Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections.