Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Carmen Diego
Fifteen members of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, including the Speaker, have announced their resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), triggering significant political realignment within the northeastern state and raising questions about the stability of the legislature’s current leadership structure.
The lawmakers formally declared their exit from the PDP amid what insiders describe as deepening internal disagreements and shifting political loyalties ahead of future electoral contests. The development marks one of the most substantial defections within the Adamawa legislature in recent years and is expected to alter the balance of power within the House.
Although the lawmakers have yet to publicly outline comprehensive reasons for their departure, sources within the Assembly indicate that internal party disputes, strategic repositioning, and broader national political dynamics may have influenced the decision. The resignation of the Speaker, in particular, is being interpreted by observers as a signal of coordinated political movement rather than isolated individual decisions.
The Adamawa State House of Assembly comprises members elected from constituencies across the state’s 21 local government areas. With fifteen lawmakers now severing ties with the PDP, the numerical strength of the party within the chamber faces immediate recalibration. Analysts note that such a shift could affect legislative proceedings, committee leadership structures, and executive-legislative relations within the state.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, lawmakers who defect from the political party under which they were elected may face legal scrutiny unless they can demonstrate that their decision was prompted by a division within the party. Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) stipulates that a member of a state House of Assembly may lose his or her seat if they defect to another party before the expiration of their tenure, except in cases where there is a proven factional split within the original party. Whether the resigning lawmakers will invoke this constitutional provision remains to be clarified.
Political observers in Adamawa suggest that the timing of the resignations could reflect evolving alliances both at the state and national levels. Adamawa has historically been a competitive political landscape, with the PDP and other major parties vying for influence. Any large-scale movement of lawmakers has the potential to reshape local political calculations and impact governance dynamics.
Reactions within the PDP at the state level have been measured but cautious. Party officials are reportedly assessing the implications of the defections and considering possible legal or political responses. Some party stakeholders have characterized the move as unexpected, while others have described it as part of ongoing realignments within Nigeria’s broader political environment.
Civil society voices have called for transparency, urging the affected lawmakers to clearly articulate their motivations to constituents. Voters in the impacted constituencies are likely to seek assurances that legislative representation and service delivery will not be disrupted by the political transition.
Within the Assembly, attention is now focused on procedural matters, including whether leadership positions will be restructured and how the House will maintain quorum and legislative continuity. The resignation of the Speaker could prompt the election of a new presiding officer, depending on whether the departing Speaker retains his seat under constitutional provisions.
Political analysts caution that defections at this scale can have ripple effects beyond immediate party arithmetic. They may influence policy direction, budget negotiations, and oversight functions, particularly if the departing lawmakers align with another dominant party bloc within the state.
As of the time of reporting, there has been no official confirmation of the new political affiliation of the fifteen lawmakers. Further announcements are anticipated in the coming days, which may clarify the strategic intent behind the collective resignation.
The unfolding developments in Adamawa underscore the fluid nature of party politics in Nigeria, where legislative alignments can shift rapidly in response to internal party disputes, electoral strategy, and broader national considerations. Stakeholders across the state are closely monitoring the situation to assess its long-term implications for governance and political stability.
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