Senate Tension as Akpabio, Abaribe Clash Over Party Defection
A tense moment unfolded in the Senate when the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, cautioned Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe following the announcement of his departure from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The development was made known during plenary after the Senate President read a letter from Abaribe notifying the chamber of his change in political affiliation.
The announcement immediately triggered reactions from several lawmakers who raised constitutional concerns over the move. Some senators pointed out that under the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, any lawmaker who defects from the party that sponsored their election risks losing their seat, except in situations where the defection is caused by a clear division or crisis within the party.
Responding to the concerns, Akpabio warned that the Senate could consider declaring the Abia South seat vacant if the defection fails to meet constitutional requirements. He therefore asked Abaribe to provide evidence supporting his claim that he had been expelled from APGA before identifying with another political platform.
In his defence, Abaribe maintained that his move was not voluntary, explaining that he had been expelled from the party months earlier. According to him, his decision to associate with the ADC only formalised a situation that had already occurred following his expulsion from APGA.
The exchange created a tense atmosphere in the Red Chamber as senators debated the constitutional implications surrounding party defections. Observers say the incident may further intensify national discussions on the enforcement of Nigeria’s anti-defection provisions within the National Assembly.
