A fresh wave of political realignments has rocked Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the defection of a serving federal lawmaker and former Taraba State Governor, Jolly Nyame, amid the growing momentum of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
The lawmaker representing the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency in the Federal Capital Territory, Joshua Chinedu Obika, officially dumped the APC for the NDC after reportedly failing to secure the ruling party’s ticket for re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Obika’s defection came barely two months after he had left the Labour Party (LP) to join the APC on March 11, 2026. Sources close to the development revealed that the lawmaker is expected to receive an automatic ticket under the NDC platform to contest for another term in the House of Representatives.
In a related development, former Taraba State Governor, Jolly Nyame, also announced his resignation from the APC, citing alleged marginalisation and unfair treatment of his people within the party.
Speaking to supporters in Jalingo after consultations with stakeholders from Zing Local Government Area, Nyame lamented what he described as years of political exclusion and lack of adequate representation for his community despite his loyalty and contributions to the APC.
“As the Dabon Yarro and leader of the entire Yorro community worldwide, comprising Mumuye, Yandan, Yorti and others, if they will not honour me, who then will they honour among my people?” the former governor said.
Nyame further disclosed that there had been mounting pressure on him to contest elective office ahead of the 2027 elections, stressing that the voices of his people had been suppressed for too long.
The latest defections add to the growing political momentum surrounding the NDC following the recent entry of prominent political figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, into the party.
Political observers say the growing movement into the NDC could significantly reshape the nation’s political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
