Fresh political shifts in the House of Representatives (Nigeria) are raising questions about the future strength of opposition parties after a dozen lawmakers formally switched political platforms during plenary on Thursday.

The announcements were made on the floor of the chamber by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who read letters submitted by the legislators explaining their decision to leave their former parties.

According to the lawmakers, internal disputes and prolonged leadership crises within their parties—including the Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party (Nigeria), Young Progressives Party, and New Nigeria People’s Party—prompted their decision to seek new political platforms.

Several of the defecting members moved to the ruling All Progressives Congress, including four representatives from Adamawa State—James Barka, Laori Bitrus, Zakaria Nyampa and Kobis Thimnu—alongside Midala Balami from Borno State and Mohammed Bargaja from Sokoto State.

Others opted for the African Democratic Congress, with Afam Ogene, Peter Aniekwe and Lilian Orogbu from Anambra State among those leaving their previous parties to join the ADC, alongside Jesse Onakalusi from Lagos and Murphy Osaro from Edo.

During the same sitting, the Deputy Speaker disclosed that eight additional lawmakers have already submitted notices indicating plans to defect, though their letters will only be formally read once they appear in the chamber.

The series of defections, coming just a day after another round of similar moves by lawmakers, underscores growing instability within opposition ranks in the National Assembly and signals early political repositioning as parties prepare for future electoral contests.