The political landscape of Nigeria’s House of Representatives witnessed a notable shift on Tuesday as two federal lawmakers formally defected from their former parties to join the Action Peoples Party (APP).
The lawmakers, Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere and Mathew Nwaogu, announced their resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) respectively, declaring their new political allegiance to the APP during plenary at the National Assembly.
Their defection was formally communicated through separate letters addressed to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and read on the floor during Tuesday’s sitting, confirming the change in party affiliation and marking a new phase in the lawmakers’ political careers.
Defection in House of Representatives
In his correspondence to the House leadership, Ugochinyere disclosed that his resignation letter from the PDP was dated March 30, 2026, and was received by the Office of the Speaker on the same day. However, he stated that the effective date of his resignation from the party was January 2, 2026.
The lawmaker explained that his decision to leave the PDP was driven by what he described as persistent internal crises within the party. According to him, unresolved conflicts, prolonged litigations, and factionalization within the party leadership had made it increasingly difficult for him to continue his political activities under the PDP platform.
Ugochinyere noted that the ongoing instability within the party structure influenced his decision to seek a new political platform where he believes he can better pursue his legislative responsibilities and political objectives.
Similarly, Mathew Nwaogu also announced his departure from the Labour Party during the plenary session, informing the House that he had decided to align himself with the Action Peoples Party.
Although Nwaogu did not elaborate extensively on his reasons in the letter read during the sitting, the development was linked to broader political realignments currently taking place within Nigeria’s political space.
The Speaker of the House officially acknowledged the defections after reading both letters during plenary, thereby confirming the lawmakers’ new affiliation with the APP.
The announcements attracted attention within the chamber as members observed the ongoing changes in party alignments among lawmakers in the National Assembly.
Political analysts say the defections reflect the evolving dynamics within Nigeria’s party system, where internal party disputes, leadership struggles and strategic calculations often influence the movement of politicians from one party to another.
For the Action Peoples Party, the development represents a significant boost to its representation in the House of Representatives. Although the party remains one of the smaller political platforms in the National Assembly, the addition of two lawmakers strengthens its presence and visibility within the legislative body.
