No fewer than 30 members of the 10th House of Representatives, on Tuesday, defected to various political parties as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) emerged as the opposition party with the second highest number of minority members in the House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, the ADC, which initially had seven members, added nine to bring its number to 16.

The shift in the composition of members came after nine lawmakers defected to the ADC from various political platforms, including the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and other opposition parties.

The APC lost two members to other parties but gained 14 new members, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost 12 members and gained none.

The opposition party now has 37 members on the floor, while the ruling APC has 280 members.

Labour Party lost four members and gained one and now has 12 members in the house. Accord Party which had four members before, gained two more, bringing its number of its members to three.

Among those who joined the ADC is George Ozodinobi, the deputy minority whip, who defected from the Labour Party. He represents the Njikoka/Anaocha/Dunukofia federal constituency of Anambra State.

Honourable Harris Okonkwo, representing Idemili North/Idemili South federal constituency of Anambra State, and Honourable Seyi Sowunmi, who represents Ojo federal constituency of Lagos State, also defected from the LP to the ADC.

From the PDP, Honourable Yaya Bauchi Tongo (Gombe/Kwami/Funakaye), Honourable Mani Maishinko Katami (Binji/Silame, Sokoto), Honourable Abdussamad Dasuki (Kebbe/Tambuwal, Sokoto) and Honourable Umar Yusuf Yabo (Yabo/Shagari, Sokoto) also defected to the ADC.

In the same vein, Honourable Mustapha Abdullahi, who represents Ikara/Kubau federal constituency of Kaduna State, joined the party from the APC.

Honourable Philip Agbese, representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo federal constituency of Benue State, defected from the APC to the LP, while Honourable Akanni Ademola (Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila federal constituency, Osun) moved from the PDP to the Accord.

In Imo State, Honourable Ugochinyere Michael Ikeagwuonu (Ideato federal constituency) defected from the PDP to the Action Peoples Party (APP), while Honourable Nwogu Mathew (Aboh Mbaise/Ngor Okpala federal constituency) left the LP for the APP.

In Taraba State, Honourable Jaafaru Yakubu (Bali/Gassol) and Honourable Sadiq Abbas Tafida (Jalingo/Yorro/Zing) moved from the PDP to the APC.

Similarly, Honourable Bello Shinkafi (Shinkafi/Zurmi, Zamfara) defected from the PDP to APC in Zamfara State, while Honourable Ibrahim Mohammed (Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza) joined APC from the PDP in Kebbi State.

Honourable Mohammed Bassi, representing Mayo Belwa/Ganye/Jada/Toungo federal constituency of Adamawa State, also defected from PDP to APC.

In Osun State, Honourable Oladebo Lanre Olomololaye defected from the PDP to the Accord.

The lawmakers attributed their defections to the internal crises in their former parties.

Also during plenary, Honourable Bashir Gorau (Goronyo/Gada federal constituency, Sokoto) defected from PDP to ADC, while Honourable George Olawande (Amuwo-Odofin federal constituency Lagos) defected from LP to ADC.

So far, no fewer than nine members of the 10th House of Representatives from Kano State defected from New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) to APC.

They are: Honourable Ghali Mustapha (Ajingi/Albasu/Gaya federal constituency), Honourable Shehu Bello (Fagge federal constituency), Honourable Dankawu Idris (Kumbotso federal constituency), Honourable Hussain Hassan Shehu (Nassarawa federal constituency), Honourable Rabiu Yusuf (Sumaila/Takai federal constituency), Honourable Garba Chiroma (Gezawa/Gabasawa federal constituency), Honourable Ibrahim Mohammed (Gwale federal constituency), Honourable Tijjani Jobe (Tofa/Dawakin-Tofa/Rimingado federal constituency), and Honourable Aliu Madaki, Deputy Minority Leader (Dala federal constituency).

The defection of the lawmakers was witnessed by Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin as well as former Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje and other APC chieftains.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen also announced the defection of Honourable Philip Agbese (Benue) and Alex Mascot to the LP. (Text, excluding headline: Nigerian Tribune)