El-Rufai, Three Other Reps Members Defect to ADC, NDC

Mohammed Bello El-Rufai, the lawmaker representing Kaduna North Federal Constituency and son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The announcement was made during plenary at the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Three other lawmakers also confirmed their defection from their former parties.

Umar Ajilo, representing Kudan/Makarfi Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, and Suleiman Richifa, representing Soba Federal Constituency, both left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ADC.

Chinedu Obika, who represents AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory, also defected from the APC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Although five defections were initially announced by the Speaker during plenary, it was later clarified that the earlier defection of Abdulhakeen Ado to the NDC had already been recorded during Tuesday’s sitting.

Explaining his decision, Ajilo said the prolonged leadership crisis within the PDP had affected his ability to focus on representation. He said consultations with political stakeholders in his constituency influenced his move to the ADC.

Bello El-Rufai described his exit from the APC as a difficult decision reached after consultations with political associates and mentors.

Obika said he became dissatisfied with the APC’s internal processes in the Federal Capital Territory despite joining the party from the Labour Party in March 2026. According to him, the conduct of the party’s congresses in the FCT lacked inclusiveness, prompting his move to the NDC.

During the session, the Speaker declined to entertain a point of order challenging Obika’s defection. He stated that while the lawmaker may not have fully satisfied the constitutional conditions required for defection, the House would allow it “due to the mood of the nation.”