•Mohammed Bello el-Rufai
A member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency, Mohammed Bello el-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, today announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Three other lawmakers also switched political parties, joining either the ADC or the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), reports The Nation.
They include Umar Ajilo, representing Kudan/Makarfi Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, and Suleiman Richifa, representing Soba Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ADC.
Chinedu Obika, representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory, also defected from the APC to the NDC.
Although the Speaker announced five defections during plenary, it was later observed that the defection of Abdulhakeen Ado to the NDC had already been announced during Tuesday’s sitting.
Explaining his decision, Ajilo said his primary loyalty remained with his constituents, noting that the prolonged leadership crisis in the PDP had made it difficult for him to effectively focus on representation.
He added that after consultations with stakeholders in his constituency, he decided to join the ADC to pursue his political future.
Bello el-Rufai described his decision to leave the APC as difficult but necessary, saying he took the step after extensive consultations with his political mentors.
On his part, Chinedu Obika stated that although he joined the APC from the Labour Party on March 11, 2026, and actively participated in party activities, including the recent Area Council elections in the FCT, he became dissatisfied with the conduct of the party’s congresses in the territory.
According to him, the congresses lacked inclusiveness, prompting his decision to join the NDC in order to better serve his constituents.
During proceedings, the Speaker declined to entertain a point of order challenging Obika’s defection, stating that although the lawmaker may not have fully met the constitutional conditions for defection, the House would allow it “due to the mood of the nation.”
