Nigeria, May 5 -- A wave of defections hit the House of Representatives on Tuesday, as 17 lawmakers dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the fast-rising Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while one member crossed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who presided over plenary, formally announced the defections, signalling a fresh realignment within Nigeria's opposition space ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The lone defector to the APC is Leke Abejide, a two-term lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State. His defection, though earlier disclosed last Friday, was officially communicated to the House during plenary.

Mr Abejide attributed his decision to what he...