Akpabio Reacts to Wave of Defections, Declares ADC ‘Dead’ Amid Political Shake-Up
Akpabio Reacts to Wave of Defections, Declares ADC ‘Dead’ Amid Political Shake-Up
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has reacted to the recent wave of political defections in the National Assembly, describing the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as “dead” following the mass exit of lawmakers from the party.
Akpabio made the remark during plenary while presiding over proceedings that confirmed fresh defections by several federal lawmakers. The development is part of a broader political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the increasing frequency of defections has become excessive and repetitive, suggesting that lawmakers should streamline how such announcements are presented in the Senate to avoid constant interruptions during proceedings.
He stated that the ADC had lost significant political strength following the continuous exit of its members to other parties, including the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and other political platforms.
“I think ADC is dead. How many times are you defecting in a month? Some even do it repeatedly,” Akpabio said during the session, sparking reactions from lawmakers present.
He further suggested that defecting legislators should submit their party changes in batches to make parliamentary processes more organized, rather than announcing them individually on the floor of the Senate.
The latest defections include senators and House of Representatives members who cited internal crises, leadership disputes, and unresolved legal issues within the ADC as reasons for leaving the party.
The development adds to the growing political tension within opposition ranks, as parties continue to experience realignments ahead of the next election cycle.
