The political chessboard at the House of Representatives shifted on Thursday as Rep. Bello El-Rufai, son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, officially parted ways with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and pitched his tent with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced the development during plenary, revealing that the lawmaker was not sailing alone in the gale of defections sweeping through the Green Chamber.
According to the Speaker, two lawmakers from Kaduna State elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Reps. Umar Ajilo and Suleiman Richifa, also crossed over to the ADC, adding fresh fuel to the growing political realignment ahead of future contests.
In another twist, Rep. Kamilu Ado of Kano State dumped the ADC for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Rep. Joshua Obika, representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory, resigned from the APC and moved to the NDC.
The affected lawmakers blamed the cracks, internal wrangling and uncertainty rocking their former political parties for their decisions to jump ship, as the nation’s political landscape continues to witness shifting alliances and moving goalposts.
