By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
Four lawmakers on Thursday dumped their political parties and defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Among them is Mohammed Bello el-Rufai, member representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency and son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai, who resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the ADC.
Others include Umar Ajilo, representing Kudan/Makarfi Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, and Suleiman Richifa, representing Soba Federal Constituency, who both left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ADC.
Also, Chinedu Obika, representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), 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 within the PDP had made it difficult for him to focus effectively on representation.
He added that after wide 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, stating that he took the step after extensive consultations with his political mentors.
On his part, Obika said 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.