More Troubles for Abaribe as APGA Reacts to Expulsion Claims

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has denied claims that it expelled Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South senatorial district.

State chairman Sunday Onukwubiri clarified that the senator was suspended in September 2025 but remained inactive until formally resigning from the party on December 30, 2025. Onukwubiri said Abaribe submitted his resignation letter to the Ahiaba Ward 5 chairman in Obingwa Local Government Area.

“If Senator Abaribe was truly expelled in September, why did he submit a resignation letter three months later? His action contradicts his earlier claims,” Onukwubiri stated, emphasizing that APGA remains stable at both the state and national levels.

The party also accused Abaribe of ignoring repeated attempts to engage him on party matters. Communications sent in mid-2025 urged the senator to convene meetings to discuss the party’s direction, but these requests went unanswered until his resignation.

APGA’s Publicity Secretary, Chukwuemeka Nwokoro, added that efforts by Abaribe’s associates to influence party processes were discovered and blocked.

Last week, during Senate plenary, Abaribe presented his resignation, citing alleged expulsion, and informed colleagues of his planned defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin noted that a senator can only defect if there is a recognized faction within the party—a condition APGA asserts does not exist. The Senate warned that Section 68(1) of the Constitution may be invoked if Abaribe does not withdraw his defection notice.

The dispute underscores ongoing tension over party loyalty and procedural rules for senators seeking to change party affiliations.