Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is effectively “dead,” as a fresh wave of defections swept through the National Assembly on Tuesday.
Akpabio made the remark during plenary while reading the resignation letter of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who represents Abia South, confirming his exit from the ADC.
“All those defecting from ADC should just compile everything in one paper so that we don’t keep announcing. I think ADC is dead,” Akpabio said.
He further suggested a streamlined process for handling defections in the Senate.
“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,” he added.
In his letter, Abaribe announced his return to the Labour Party, citing internal crises and legal uncertainties 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 stated.
He, however, clarified that his decision was not driven by personal differences with party members.
“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 Senate also recorded additional defections, with Senator Victor Umeh moving from the ADC to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), while Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Rufai Hanga, defected from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the NDC.
In the House of Representatives, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas also announced a mass defection of lawmakers from the ADC to the NDC.
Those who switched parties include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, Munachim Umezuruike, Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene, and Abdulhakeem Ado.
In a related development, Leke Abejide, representing Yagba Federal Constituency, defected from the ADC to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The latest defections highlight intensifying political realignments across party lines as stakeholders reposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
