Abuja, Nigeria – May 7, 2025
In a major political shake-up in the House of Representatives, six lawmakers from Delta State, including the longest-serving member of the chamber, Hon. Nicholas Mutu, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection, which was officially announced during Tuesday’s plenary by Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, also includes Reps. Victor Nwokolo, Thomas Ereyitomi, Nnamdi Ezechi, Julius Pondi, and Jonathan Ukodhiko.
The lawmakers cited an unresolved leadership crisis and persistent internal divisions within the PDP in Delta State as the reasons behind their departure. They stated that the decision followed “extensive consultations” with their constituents and political allies.
This latest wave of defections comes just two weeks after Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa were reported to have also decamped from the PDP to the APC.
In a related development, the PDP has gained two members from the Labour Party (LP) in the House of Representatives. Reps. Mark Obetta and Dennis Nnamdi, both from Enugu State, announced their defection to the PDP on the floor of the House.
The lawmakers attributed their decision to join the PDP to the performance of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and what they described as “deepening internal divisions” within the Labour Party.
The shifting political allegiances signal intensifying maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties seek to consolidate influence at both state and national levels.