Senate Threatens to Declare Abaribe’s Seat Vacant After ADC Defection

The Senate has warned that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of Abia South may lose his seat if he does not reconsider his resignation from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Abaribe, a long-serving opposition voice in the chamber, formally announced his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Thursday’s plenary. He cited an unresolved leadership crisis within APGA as his reason for leaving. The ADC has been adopted by some opposition leaders as a platform for the 2027 elections.

Several senators challenged his claim of internal party conflict. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele argued that APGA remains united and cited Section 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which requires a lawmaker to vacate their seat if they defect without a justifiable division within their party.

Jibrin also referenced Senate Standing Order 20(j), which allows the Senate President to interpret rules and issue a final ruling on such matters, urging Akpabio to act in line with the Constitution. Bamidele highlighted Section 65 of the Constitution, noting that membership in a political party is a condition for holding office. Both called for Abaribe to either withdraw his resignation or face the possibility of losing his seat.

Abaribe defended his move, stating he had been expelled from APGA in September 2025 and insisted the Senate recognize his resignation. Akpabio directed him to provide a copy of the expulsion letter within a week for verification, while allowing time for reconsideration before the chamber takes a formal constitutional decision.

It remains unclear whether Abaribe had formally joined the ADC before submitting his resignation.

Abaribe, first elected to the Senate in 2007, has held multiple terms and is among the most experienced lawmakers in the chamber. He previously served as Abia State deputy governor from 1999 to 2003 under Orji Kalu. Known for his outspoken positions on governance and South-east interests, Abaribe has also been involved in high-profile controversies, including his brief role as surety for Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu in 2017.

Politically, he has moved across parties, initially elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before joining APGA, under which he won re-election in 2023.