A major political shift is unfolding within Nigeria’s opposition landscape following the resignation of Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), ending his long-standing association with the party after more than two decades.

Senator Ningi, who currently represents Bauchi Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, formally announced his resignation in a letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ningi Ward in Ningi Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The development has already sparked fresh political conversations across the country, particularly within the northern political bloc, as the veteran lawmaker is widely expected to officially align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition ahead of the next electoral cycle.

In his resignation letter, the senator described the decision as painful and difficult, noting that it came after extensive consultations with political associates, loyal supporters, stakeholders, and members of his constituency.

Ningi explained that his political journey within the PDP began in 1998 during the formative years of the Fourth Republic, adding that the party gave him the platform to serve Nigeria in several capacities over the years.

The senator recalled that under the PDP, he served two terms in the House of Representatives before advancing to the Senate, where he also secured two terms representing Bauchi Central.

He praised the PDP for once standing as one of Africa’s strongest political movements, built on democratic ideals, inclusiveness, internal participation, and collective leadership.

However, the lawmaker lamented that the party had gradually drifted away from its founding principles due to persistent leadership crises, factional disputes, and internal wrangling among key stakeholders.

According to him, the continued divisions within the PDP have weakened the party’s structure and reduced public confidence in its ability to function as a united opposition force.

“It is now a great concern and worrisome to me that this virile and united platform could be turned into a ramshackle organisation with internal leadership wrangling and factional interests,” Ningi stated in the letter.

Despite his exit, the senator appreciated party leaders and members across all levels for their support and loyalty throughout his political career, while also wishing the PDP success in its efforts to rebuild and reposition itself.

Political observers believe Ningi’s resignation could trigger fresh alignments within Bauchi politics and possibly influence other politicians considering alternative platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.

His anticipated movement into the ADC coalition is also seen as a boost for the growing alliance, which has recently attracted interest from dissatisfied politicians across different parties.

The latest development comes amid a wider wave of defections currently shaking both the Peoples Democratic Party and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the House of Representatives, five lawmakers recently announced their departure from the APC and PDP to join the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Among the lawmakers who changed parties is Mohammed El-Rufai, the son of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the representative of Kaduna North Federal Constituency.

Mohammed El-Rufai officially defected from the APC to the NDC during plenary, with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, reading his letter on the floor of the chamber.

His defection has intensified speculation about the growing political distance between the El-Rufai political camp and the APC-led Federal Government.

The younger El-Rufai’s decision followed months of political uncertainty surrounding his future, particularly after his father openly criticized President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over issues relating to governance and internal democracy.

Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai, once considered one of President Tinubu’s strongest allies within the APC, has repeatedly accused the ruling party of sidelining loyal members and abandoning democratic principles within its structure.

In a related development, Joshua Obika, representing the Abaji/Gwagwalada/Kuje/Kwali Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory, also dumped the APC for the Nigerian Democratic Congress.

Obika’s latest political movement marks his third party switch since the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly, having initially emerged under the Labour Party before moving to the APC in March 2026.

Another lawmaker, Abdulhakeem Kamilu of Kano State, also left the ADC for the NDC, citing unresolved leadership disputes and prolonged internal disagreements within his former party.

Kamilu was originally elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) before later defecting to the ADC prior to his latest switch.

Meanwhile, the wave of defections has also spread to state legislatures, with prominent political figures beginning to realign ahead of the next election season.

In Edo State, Hon. Natasha Osawaru-Idibia, the lawmaker representing Egor Constituency in the Edo State House of Assembly and wife of music icon Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, officially announced her defection to the Nigerian Democratic Congress.

Osawaru-Idibia disclosed her new political affiliation during a visit to the residence of the party’s national chairman, Senator Seriake Dickson, where she formally received her membership card.

She later confirmed the move through her Instagram page, posting photographs from the visit alongside former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

Before joining the NDC, Osawaru-Idibia was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and currently serves in the 8th Edo State House of Assembly.

Analysts say the increasing rate of defections and coalition-building activities across the country may significantly reshape Nigeria’s political landscape before the 2027 general elections, especially as opposition figures continue to search for stronger alliances capable of challenging the dominance of the APC at the national level.