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Nigeria’s opposition landscape suffered another major shake-up on Tuesday as the exit of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress triggered a fresh wave of defections to the Nigeria Democratic Congress. At least 18 federal lawmakers, including 17 House of Representatives members and one senator, formally dumped the ADC for the NDC, citing internal instability and leadership disputes within the party. 
The lawmakers, drawn from states including Kano, Anambra, Lagos, Edo, Rivers, and Kogi, said the ADC had become increasingly divided by legal battles and factional struggles, making it difficult to sustain confidence in the party ahead of the 2027 elections. Those who defected include Yusuf Datti, Lilian Orogbu, Thaddeus Attah, Afam Ogene, and several others aligned with the political structures of Obi and Kwankwaso. 
The development came barely 48 hours after Obi and Kwankwaso officially left the ADC to join the NDC, a move analysts say has significantly weakened efforts to build a united opposition coalition against President Bola Tinubu. International observers and political analysts have described the collapse of the alliance as a major setback for opposition unity, noting that longstanding distrust and internal rivalries continue to undermine coalition efforts in Nigeria’s political space. 
The defections have also intensified uncertainty within the ADC, with more resignations expected in the coming days. Political observers believe the rapid movement of lawmakers and high-profile figures toward the NDC signals a broader restructuring of opposition politics ahead of the 2027 general elections, as parties scramble to consolidate influence and avoid fragmentation. 
