Nine senators on Thursday formally announced their defection from their respective political parties to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing internal crises and leadership challenges within their former parties.

The defectors include five senators who left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), three from the Labour Party (LP), and one from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Those who resigned their membership of the PDP are Dauda Yaroe, Lawal Usman, Ogochi Onawe, Aminu Tambuwal, and Austin Akubondu.

From the Labour Party, the senators who joined the ADC are Ireti Kingibe, Victor Umeh, and Tony Nwoye.

Eight of the lawmakers, who defected from both the PDP and LP, attributed their decision to persistent leadership crises and internal disagreements within their parties.

However, Eyinnaya Abaribe, who previously belonged to APGA, explained that his decision to align with the ADC followed his removal from the party in September 2025.

The development is expected to further reshape the political landscape ahead of future elections, as the ADC continues to attract high-profile political figures from other parties.