Political realignments across Nigeria are intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections, as lawmakers, governors and party leaders continue to switch political allegiances in what analysts describe as a strategic repositioning within the country’s political landscape.
Amid the growing wave of defections, the House of Representatives recently amended provisions of the Electoral Act to criminalise dual political party membership.
Under the proposed amendment, any politician found to belong to more than one political party risks a fine of ₦10 million, a prison term of up to two years, or both.
Legal experts say the move is aimed at strengthening party discipline and protecting the mandate given to elected officials by voters.
Constitutional Framework on Defections
Nigeria’s legal framework already provides guidance on political defections.
Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution states that a lawmaker who defects from the political party that sponsored their election may lose their seat, except where the defection results from internal division within the party.
Despite this provision, enforcement has remained inconsistent.
A Minna-based legal practitioner, Abdulrazak Boye Folorunsho, warned that frequent defections weaken democratic institutions.
“Running from one party to another weakens opposition parties and erodes democratic structures. If laws are not properly enforced, the will of the people can easily be undermined,” he said.
Folorunsho also noted that while lawmakers sometimes face sanctions for defections, governors rarely do, creating an imbalance in accountability.
Rising Wave of Political Defections
Across several states, political actors have continued to switch parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
In Niger State, federal lawmaker Adamu Tanko, representing the Suleja/Gurara/Tafa constituency, defected from the PDP to the APC in March 2025 alongside former lawmaker Abdullahi Ricco.
Residents expressed frustration over the trend.
“I voted for my representative because of the party and the promises made. Now he has joined another party without consulting the people,” said Suleja resident Aisha Musa.
In Adamawa State, Speaker Wesley Bathiya and about 15 lawmakers defected from the PDP to the APC in February 2026. Shortly after, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri also joined the APC along with key political allies.
Other governors who reportedly switched to the APC between April and December 2025 include:
Caleb Mutfwang – Plateau
Siminalayi Fubara – Rivers
Peter Mbah – Enugu
Sheriff Oborevwori – Delta
Umo Eno – Akwa Ibom
Similarly, in Kano State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf reportedly defected from the NNPP to the APC in January 2026.
Defections in the National Assembly
The National Assembly has also witnessed several defections.
Senators Amos Yohanna, Aminu Iya Abbas, and Ikra Aliyu Bilbis moved from the PDP to the APC, with their defection letters read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
Earlier, Senators Shuaibu Lau and Haruna Manu from Taraba State also left the PDP for the APC, further strengthening the ruling party’s presence in the Senate.
Experts Warn of “Survival Politics”
Political analysts believe most defections are driven by political survival rather than ideology.
Dr Dominic Alancha, a political analyst based in Benue State, said some governors are aligning with the ruling party because of perceived political advantages.
“Progress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including economic reforms and increased state allocations, has encouraged some governors to align with the APC. But in many cases, it is also about survival,” he said.
Similarly, civil society leader Dr Abdullah Mohammed Jabi argued that weak party ideology contributes to frequent defections.
“Ideology is rarely the driving factor. When opposition parties fail to organise themselves, members often move to parties they believe offer better political prospects,” he said.
Citizens Question Mandate
Some citizens say the trend undermines democratic accountability.
Chinedu Okeke, a resident of Enugu, said frequent party switching makes politicians appear opportunistic.
“It feels like we voted for individuals rather than policies,” he said.
Another resident, Teni Moses, noted that such moves make governance unpredictable.
A Test for Nigeria’s Democracy
Observers say the amendment of the Electoral Act represents a significant test of Nigeria’s democratic framework.
While the new law seeks to discourage opportunistic party switching, analysts warn that weak ideological foundations within political parties and constitutional loopholes may continue to fuel defections ahead of the 2027 elections.
As political calculations intensify, the coming months are expected to witness further realignments across Nigeria’s political landscape.
