RismadarVoice Reporters, June 2, 2026
Six members of the House of Representatives from Oyo State on Tuesday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), in a move seen as a major boost for Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who recently left the PDP for the APM ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defections were announced during plenary at the House of Representatives, where Speaker Tajudeen Abbas read letters from lawmakers notifying the chamber of their change of party affiliation following the Sallah break.
The lawmakers who left the PDP for the APM are Anthony Adebayo, Adedeji Olajide, Sunday Makanjuola, Oyedeji Oyeshina, Fola Oyekunle, and Adigun Adekunle.
In separate letters, the legislators attributed their decision to the prolonged internal crisis and leadership disputes within the PDP, stating that they had chosen a new political platform to pursue their political aspirations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The development means that six of the 14 members of the Oyo State caucus in the House of Representatives have now aligned with Governor Makinde in the APM.
Makinde had recently announced his defection to the party and declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on its platform.
The House also witnessed several other defections involving lawmakers from different political parties.
In Bauchi State, Auwalu Gwalabe left the PDP for the APM, further strengthening the party’s presence in the lower chamber.
Conversely, the PDP gained members as Shehu Dalhatu, representing Faskari/Kankara/Sabuwa Federal Constituency of Katsina State, defected from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to the opposition party.
In his defection letter, Dalhatu said his decision followed consultations with constituents and concerns over developments within the APC.
“After careful consideration of the issues in the APC and having consulted with my constituencies, I have resolved to join the PDP,” he stated.
The PDP also welcomed Etanabene Benedict of Delta State, who defected from the Labour Party (LP), citing the party’s internal crisis.
Another lawmaker, Alex Egbona, moved from the APC to the PDP, while assuring constituents that his commitment to legislative duties remained unchanged.
Meanwhile, Esosa Iyawe of Edo State announced his defection from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), blaming what he described as irreconcilable differences with the APC leadership in the state.
In another development, Gbefwi Gaza of Nasarawa State left the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for the Labour Party (LP).
The latest wave of defections is expected to further alter the political dynamics within the House of Representatives as parties begin strategic realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
