Eighteen members of the House of Representatives who were elected on the platform of the African Democratic Congress have resigned from the party, with 17 of them defecting to the Nigeria Democratic Congress and one crossing over to the All Progressives Congress. The mass exit marks a fresh blow to the ADC as opposition realignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to notices read on the floor of the House, the lawmakers cited internal crises, leadership tussles and alleged hijack of the party structure as reasons for leaving the ADC. Many of them had previously aligned with the Obi Kwankwaso bloc that recently dumped the ADC for the NDC.
Of the 18 departing lawmakers, 17 are heading to the NDC, which is rapidly emerging as a new rallying point for opposition forces. One lawmaker has opted to join the ruling APC, further underlining the fluid nature of political loyalties in the build up to 2027.
The defections come just days after former presidential candidates Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso formally joined the NDC, alongside other high profile figures such as Senator Victor Umeh and former governorship candidate Aishatu Binani. Analysts say the entry of these politicians and the latest wave of legislators will strengthen the NDC’s presence in the National Assembly and across several states.
ADC leaders have accused Obi, Kwankwaso and their allies of plotting a premeditated exit and destabilising the party from within. They insist that, despite the defections, the ADC remains committed to rebuilding its structures and presenting candidates in 2027.
The APC, for its part, has welcomed the lawmaker who defected to its fold and downplayed the growing NDC alliance as no serious threat to President Donald Trump’s re election prospects in 2027. Party figures argue that internal wrangling and competing ambitions could eventually weaken the new opposition coalition.
With the political landscape shifting rapidly, observers expect further movements by lawmakers and top politicians as parties reposition for the next election cycle.
About the author
Students, others feared dead as 3-storey hostel collapses in Anambra
The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge and located beside Tonimas Filling Station, reportedly caved in late Sunday night, trapping several occupants beneath the rubble. Rescue workers and a joint security team were still on the scene as efforts continued to save those trapped and recover victims. Some injured persons had already been rescued and taken to a hospital in the area, but the exact number of casualties had not been confirmed at the time of the report. Authorities said the operation was ongoing and urged calm as emergency responders worked through the debris. The collapse has sparked fresh concern over building safety and enforcement of construction standards in student-dominated areas of Anambra State.
DHQ, ICRC begin training to identify soldiers killed in combat
The week-long Battlefield Mortuary Affairs Programme began on Monday at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna and will run from July 27 to August 1. Participants were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, with the training aimed at strengthening the military’s response to battlefield deaths and missing personnel. According to officials, the programme will equip soldiers with the knowledge and practical skills needed for personnel identification, search and recovery operations, mortuary collection points, respectful storage and transportation of human remains, temporary burials and cemetery creation. It will also expose participants to the humanitarian role of the ICRC and the legal framework guiding battlefield mortuary affairs, including international humanitarian law and Nigerian military doctrine. ICRC Forensic Manager Dr Habib El TaKach said the initiative grew out of engagements that began in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2024, and […]
Infantino slams World Cup critics for spreading hate
In an open letter and a long Instagram post shared after the tournament, Infantino said detractors were “consumed by hate and criticism” and had ignored the joy and togetherness experienced by supporters around the world. He described the World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, as “the greatest show on earth” and “the most outstanding” edition in history. “To those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours, I want to say that while you are sitting behind, we at FIFA are on the front lines organising, working hard, and delivering the best show in the world,” Infantino wrote. He accused some commentators of “planting seeds of hate” instead of acknowledging what he called a tournament of unity, safety and inclusion. Infantino urged critics to “find love and peace,” suggesting they should […]
Iran foreign ministry says no current negotiations with United States
Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei told a press briefing in Tehran that Iran “has no negotiations with the American side at present” and has made no move to reopen direct talks with Washington. “Claims that Iran has requested negotiations are reports periodically circulated by our opponents,” he added. Baghaei said any contacts now take place only through intermediaries, noting that “mediators may convey messages from the American side regarding current developments in the region, but at present we have no negotiations with the American side.” He stressed that Iran’s recent discussions with Oman over the management of the Strait of Hormuz are purely bilateral. “These talks have no connection with the United States… and they are continuing,” he said, adding that the waterway “remains closed.”english.alarabiya+1 The comments follow earlier statements from Iranian officials who accused the US of violating a […]
Joshua survives knockdowns, stops Prenga
Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua recovered from two knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga with a second-round knockout in Jeddah on Sunday.espn+1 Joshua was twice put on the canvas in the opening round, but he survived the pressure and returned stronger in the second. He regrouped behind his jab, pushed Prenga back to the ropes and then unloaded a powerful right hand that sent the Albanian crashing through the ropes, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:43 of round two.wtop+1 The victory was Joshua’s first fight of 2026 and marked a successful return to the ring after a tense opening round. Reports say the win could set up a blockbuster all-British showdown with Tyson Fury later this year.
BBNaija 11: Biggie divides housemates into male, female teams for tasks
According to Biggie, the house will now operate in two groups — the ladies and the guys — with wager tasks, arena games and other activities contested along those lines. The move is expected to raise the stakes in the house, as contestants must work more closely with members of their own team to win rewards and gain an advantage. The new structure is also likely to affect alliances and strategy, since housemates will now compete not just individually but as part of a broader team battle.
Related
Students, others feared dead as 3-storey hostel collapses in Anambra
The building, identified as Elite Five Star Lodge and located beside Tonimas Filling Station, reportedly caved in late Sunday night, trapping several occupants beneath the rubble. Rescue workers and a joint security team were still on the scene as efforts continued to save those trapped and recover victims. Some injured persons had already been rescued and taken to a hospital in the area, but the exact number of casualties had not been confirmed at the time of the report. Authorities said the operation was ongoing and urged calm as emergency responders worked through the debris. The collapse has sparked fresh concern over building safety and enforcement of construction standards in student-dominated areas of Anambra State.
DHQ, ICRC begin training to identify soldiers killed in combat
The week-long Battlefield Mortuary Affairs Programme began on Monday at the Nigerian Air Force Base in Kaduna and will run from July 27 to August 1. Participants were drawn from the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, with the training aimed at strengthening the military’s response to battlefield deaths and missing personnel. According to officials, the programme will equip soldiers with the knowledge and practical skills needed for personnel identification, search and recovery operations, mortuary collection points, respectful storage and transportation of human remains, temporary burials and cemetery creation. It will also expose participants to the humanitarian role of the ICRC and the legal framework guiding battlefield mortuary affairs, including international humanitarian law and Nigerian military doctrine. ICRC Forensic Manager Dr Habib El TaKach said the initiative grew out of engagements that began in Pretoria, South Africa, in 2024, and […]
Joshua survives knockdowns, stops Prenga
Two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua recovered from two knockdowns to stop Kristian Prenga with a second-round knockout in Jeddah on Sunday.espn+1 Joshua was twice put on the canvas in the opening round, but he survived the pressure and returned stronger in the second. He regrouped behind his jab, pushed Prenga back to the ropes and then unloaded a powerful right hand that sent the Albanian crashing through the ropes, forcing the referee to stop the fight at 2:43 of round two.wtop+1 The victory was Joshua’s first fight of 2026 and marked a successful return to the ring after a tense opening round. Reports say the win could set up a blockbuster all-British showdown with Tyson Fury later this year.
BBNaija 11: Biggie divides housemates into male, female teams for tasks
According to Biggie, the house will now operate in two groups — the ladies and the guys — with wager tasks, arena games and other activities contested along those lines. The move is expected to raise the stakes in the house, as contestants must work more closely with members of their own team to win rewards and gain an advantage. The new structure is also likely to affect alliances and strategy, since housemates will now compete not just individually but as part of a broader team battle.
Troops nab wanted soldier accused of supplying military uniforms to terrorists
The soldier, identified as Private Mohammed Yusuf Amutu of the Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, was earlier declared wanted after allegedly engaging in the illegal sale and diversion of military uniforms to non‑state actors. According to an Army statement, Amutu had absconded from his unit on 3 June 2026, prompting a manhunt by military authorities. Army spokesperson Major Oluwatope Dorcas Aluko said any personnel found aiding terrorists or criminals through the unauthorized sale or distribution of military kit would face the full weight of both military and civil laws. She added that intensive efforts were launched to locate and apprehend Amutu so he could face investigation and appropriate disciplinary action under extant military regulations. The case has raised fresh concerns about how genuine military gear ends up in the hands of terrorists and bandits, who often use such uniforms to disguise […]
INEC urges Nigerians to register as CVR closes today
INEC has ruled out any further extension of the nationwide CVR, insisting that voter registration will end today, Sunday 26 July 2026, after a two‑week grace period added earlier this month. The exercise, which began in August 2025 and resumed for its final phase in May, is the last opportunity for new voters to join the register ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement and posts on its official X and Facebook pages, the commission urged citizens who are 18 and above, and others who missed earlier phases, to take advantage of the final hours. Registration centres and INEC offices nationwide are scheduled to operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., including weekends. INEC also highlighted the availability of its online Self‑Service CVR portal, cvr.inecnigeria.org, which allows first‑time voters to complete their registration digitally before visiting a centre […]