Four More Opposition Lawmakers Exit LP, PDP to Join Majority Caucus

The House of Representatives witnessed a significant political shift at Friday’s plenary as four more members of the opposition formally announced their resignation from their respective parties to join the ranks of the Majority Caucus.

The lawmakers; Rep. Manuchim Umezuruike (LP – Port Harcourt I Federal Constituency), Rep. Boniface Emerengwa (PDP – Emohua/Ikwerre Federal Constituency), Rep. Awaji-Inombek Dagomie Abiante (PDP – Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency), and Rep. Boma Goodhead (PDP – AkukuToru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency), all from Rivers State, made their decision known on the floor of the House. One of the primary reasons cited for the move was the persistent internal leadership crises plaguing the opposition parties.

This latest development continues the partisan realignment that has characterised the 10th Assembly since July 2024, bringing the total number of recorded defections to sixty-eight. Of this number, sixty-seven members have joined the Majority Caucus, while the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has gained one seat. The opposition bloc has seen substantial losses since the trend of cross-carpeting began in July 2024.

The specific seats lost by opposition parties are as follows:

1. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP): Forty-five seats
2. Labour Party (LP): Fourteen seats
3. New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP): Five seats
4. Young Progressives Party (YPP): Two seats
5. African Democratic Congress (ADC): One seat
6. All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA): One seat

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are the only parties in the current Assembly yet to lose any seat to defection.