Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as “dead” following a fresh wave of defections from the party within the National Assembly.
Akpabio made the remark during Tuesday’s plenary while announcing the resignation of Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe, who represents Abia South Senatorial District, from the ADC.
Reading Abaribe’s resignation letter on the floor, the Senate President confirmed the lawmaker’s formal exit from the party. Reacting, he suggested a more structured approach to announcing defections.
“All those defecting from ADC should just compile everything in one paper so that we don’t keep announcing. I think ADC is dead,” he said.
”If you are defecting from Labour, write the names of all of you. If you are going from ADC, write all of you. And if you are entering ADC, you do the same. It’s neater that way than reading one name at a time.”
In his letter, Abaribe disclosed that he has joined the Labour Party (LP), citing ongoing internal disputes within the ADC.
“Given the uncertainties concerning the ADC party with regard to the multiple lawsuits and court judgements, I have today resigned from the ADC and joined the Labour Party, effective immediately,” Abaribe said.
He added that his decision was not driven by personal disagreements within the party.
“This has nothing to do with the leadership and members whom I have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy close and solid relationships with,” he said.
The plenary also recorded additional defections, including that of Victor Umeh, who moved from the ADC to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).
Similarly, Deputy Minority Whip Rufai Sani Hanga defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the NDC.
At the House of Representatives, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas also announced multiple defections during plenary.
Lawmakers including Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, and Munachim Umezuruike moved from the ADC to the NDC.
Others—Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, and Abdulhakeem Ado—also joined the NDC from the ADC.
In a related development, Leke Abejide, who represents Yagba Federal Constituency of Kogi State, defected from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
