ADC Moves To Overtake PDP As Main Opposition In House

ADC Moves To Overtake PDP As Main Opposition In House
ADC gains strength as lawmakers defect from NNPP and PDP
Minority leadership position may shift if current trend continues

The Peoples Democratic Party has faced the risk of losing its position as the leading opposition party in the House of Representatives following a wave of defections that has reduced its strength in the chamber.

Findings by Punch indicated that the African Democratic Congress is gaining ground and could soon overtake the PDP as the dominant opposition bloc in the lower chamber.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the shift has been driven by fresh political realignments involving key figures including Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Nasir El-Rufai and Rauf Aregbesola. The ADC’s momentum grew further after Rabiu Kwankwaso joined the party, a move that triggered defections from the New Nigeria Peoples Party.

At least seven NNPP lawmakers from Kano have moved to the ADC, raising its caucus in the House to about 24 members.

In contrast, the PDP’s numbers have dropped to around 30 lawmakers, down from 116 recorded at the end of the 2023 general elections.

A lawmaker from the North-East, who spoke anonymously with Punch, said the PDP’s hold on the opposition position may soon end.

“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 lawmaker warned that the PDP could also 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 blamed the development on the party’s 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 has also gained from the defections, further strengthening its majority in the House.

It was gathered that lawmakers often align with the ruling party to secure influence and access to resources.

Unlike previous political cycles where defections largely 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.

ADC Main Opposition In House

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.