The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is on the verge of losing its position as the leading opposition party in the House of Representatives following a wave of defections that has significantly reduced its numbers.
According to Punch, findings indicate that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is rapidly gaining ground and could soon overtake the PDP as the dominant opposition bloc in the lower chamber.
The ADC’s resurgence is driven by high-profile political realignments involving key figures such as Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola.
The party’s momentum increased further after Rabiu Kwankwaso joined the ADC, triggering defections from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).
At least seven NNPP lawmakers from Kano have since moved to the ADC, raising its caucus strength in the House to about 24 members.
In contrast, the PDP’s numbers have dropped sharply to around 30 lawmakers, down from 116 at the end of the 2023 elections.
‘ADC Will Soon Take Over Opposition Role’ — Lawmaker
A lawmaker from the North-East, who spoke anonymously with Punch, said the PDP’s position as the main opposition is only temporary.
“Some lawmakers have defected in the spirit but are yet to transmit their letters… By the time the letters are read on the floor, I’m sure the ADC will assume the race of opposition in the House of Representatives,” he said.
The source warned that the PDP could lose its minority leadership position if the trend continues.
“If the table turns… and ADC becomes the main opposition, there is no doubt it will move to produce the new minority leader. It is a matter of when not if,” he added.
Another lawmaker attributed the party’s decline to its prolonged internal crisis.
“The PDP leadership crisis was allowed to linger for too long and today, we are paying the price. There is no doubt that ADC is pushing us further down the pecking order,” the source said.
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has also benefited from the defections, strengthening its majority in the House.
PrimeTimes Nigeria understands that lawmakers often align with the ruling party to secure influence and access to resources.
Unlike previous political cycles where defections mainly favoured the ruling party, the ADC is emerging as a unified opposition alternative, capitalising on dissatisfaction within the PDP and smaller parties.
There are also indications that further defections, including from Bauchi State, could accelerate the PDP’s decline.
Traditionally, the largest opposition party produces the Minority Leader and other principal officers in the House. If the ADC overtakes the PDP numerically, it would gain the constitutional basis to assume these roles.