Senator Victor Umeh, 17 reps defect to NDC, elevating party as Nigeria’s leading opposition force

Politics

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central and former National Chairman of APGA, has defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). His resignation letter was read on the Senate floor by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, citing “lingering division and unending litigations in the ADC” as reasons for his move.

Umeh said he remains committed to Nigeria’s development, now through the NDC.

The defection follows the entry of his ally Peter Obi and Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso into the NDC on Sunday in Abuja. Since then, ADC has witnessed a wave of departures, including 17 members of the House of Representatives who crossed over to the NDC during plenary today. In addition, Leke Abejide left ADC for the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing the turbulence and the pool of uncertainties encircling the party.

The 17 members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives who defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) include Yusuf Datti from Kura/Madobi/Garun Mallam in Kano; Uchenna Okonkwo from Idemili North/Idemili South in Anambra; Sani Adamu Wakili from Minjibir/Ungogo in Kano; Thaddeus Attah from Eti-Osa in Lagos; George Ozodinobi from Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia in Anambra; and Lilian Orogbu from Awka North/Awka South in Anambra.

Others are Oluwaseyi Sowunmi from Ojo in Lagos; Peter Aniekwe from Anambra East/Anambra West; Mukhtar Zakari from Tarauni in Kano; George Oluwande from Amuwo Odofin in Lagos; Murphy Omroruyi from Egor/Ikpoba Okha in Edo; Munachim Umezuruike from Port Harcourt I in Rivers; Emeka Idu from Onitsha North/Onitsha South in Anambra; Jesse Onuakalusi from Oshodi-Isolo in Lagos; Ifeanyi Uzokwe from Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo in Anambra; Afam Ogene from Ogbaru in Anambra; and Abdulhakeem Ado from Wudil/Garko in Kano.

Analysts note that ADC had emerged as the strongest opposition bloc after internal crises crippled the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), leaving them directionless in the eye of the law.

The latest defections now signal a major realignment, with the NDC gaining momentum as a rising opposition force, positioning itself as a formidable player in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.