Plateau Senator Defects from ADP to APC

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Political developments across Nigeria have taken new turns as a federal lawmaker from Plateau State formally changed party affiliation, while another political party announced preparations for upcoming local government elections in Anambra State.

The changes reflect ongoing adjustments within Nigeria’s political landscape as parties position themselves for future electoral contests.

Plateau Lawmaker Announces Party Switch

Senator Pam Mwadkon Dachungyang, who represents a constituency in Plateau State, has officially moved from the Action Democratic Party (ADP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

His decision was formally communicated during Thursday’s plenary session of the Senate.

The announcement was delivered after Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter submitted by the lawmaker explaining the reasons behind the move.

Reason Behind the Defection

In his message to the Senate, Dachungyang explained that persistent internal disputes within the ADP influenced his decision to leave the party.

He described the disagreements as unresolved and difficult to reconcile, suggesting that they had limited the party’s ability to function effectively.

According to him, joining the APC offers a more stable political platform that will allow him to pursue the interests of his constituents more effectively.

Senate Notified Through Official Communication

The procedure for announcing the defection followed the standard parliamentary process.

Through his written communication, the senator formally notified the Senate leadership of his political realignment, which was subsequently acknowledged during the plenary session.

Such declarations are typically recorded as part of legislative proceedings when a sitting lawmaker changes party affiliation.

APGA Releases Anambra Election Preparations

In a separate political development, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has announced its timetable for the selection of candidates ahead of the 2026 local government elections in Anambra State.

The party revealed that the schedule was prepared in line with both its internal constitutional provisions and the official election calendar released by the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission.

Start of Nomination Process

According to the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, the process for aspirants will begin with the sale and submission of nomination materials.

The first phase involves the purchase and submission of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms, which started on January 27.

Interested aspirants are expected to complete this process at the party’s regional secretariat located in Awka.

The window for submitting the required forms is scheduled to close on February 6.

Screening of Aspirants

After the submission phase, APGA will move to the screening stage.

Party officials have scheduled the vetting process for candidates contesting both chairmanship and councillorship positions between February 7 and February 11.

The screening exercise will take place across:

21 local government areas in Anambra State
326 electoral wards within those councils

This stage is intended to verify the eligibility of aspirants and ensure compliance with party requirements.

Appeals and Ward Congresses

Once the screening process is completed, the party will provide an opportunity for appeals.

Any complaints arising from the screening results will be addressed on February 13.

Following this stage, ward congresses will be conducted on February 14.

These congresses will serve two purposes: selecting councillorship candidates and electing ad-hoc delegates who will participate in the next stage of the process.

Chairmanship Primary Election

The final stage of the internal selection process will be the chairmanship primary election.

According to the party’s schedule, this exercise will take place on February 15 in Awka.

The outcome of the primary will determine the party’s official candidates for chairmanship positions across the local government councils.

Commentary and Analysis

The political developments highlighted in these events reflect the fluid nature of Nigeria’s political environment.

Party defections remain a common feature in Nigerian politics, often influenced by internal party disputes, strategic calculations, or efforts by politicians to align with stronger political platforms.

At the same time, the release of APGA’s election timetable demonstrates how parties begin early preparations for local elections by establishing structured procedures for candidate selection.

Both developments underscore the importance of internal party organisation in Nigeria’s democratic process. While defections can reshape political alliances, transparent primary election processes remain essential for maintaining credibility within political parties.

As political actors continue to reposition themselves ahead of upcoming elections, similar realignments and preparations are likely to occur across other states in the country.