Abaribe Risks Losing Seat as Senate Questions Defection to ADC

The Senate has announced a formal review into the legality of the defection of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

During a plenary session on Thursday, March 12, 2026, the Red Chamber deliberated on the constitutional implications of the move, which saw the representative of Abia South join the ADC alongside other lawmakers.

The inquiry centers on whether the defection adheres to the strict criteria established by the 1999 Constitution regarding the retention of legislative seats following a change in party affiliation.

The issue was formally raised by the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, who cited Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution. This provision mandates that a lawmaker who defects from the party that sponsored their election must vacate their seat unless the defection is necessitated by a documented division or a merger within the original party.

Senator Jibrin argued that there is currently no evidence of a leadership crisis or internal division within APGA that would provide a legal basis for Abaribe’s exit. He noted, “I discovered that there isn't any division in APGA and there isn't any in the Labour Party,” further emphasizing the lack of a legal "split" to justify the move.

Supporting this position, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) maintained that both APGA and the Labour Party (LP) possess functioning leadership structures that are not currently under judicial dispute. Oshiomhole, a former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), asserted: “I know for a fact that APGA has one chairman and a national executive council that is not in court.

There are no issues of division or crisis within the party”. He urged the Senate to strictly enforce constitutional provisions to prevent lawmakers from defecting without valid legal grounds.

The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, characterized the matter as a significant development for the nation's democratic stability and constitutional order.

In a procedural recommendation, Bamidele suggested that Senator Abaribe be granted an opportunity to reconsider his formal defection letter before the matter is officially referred to the National Assembly’s legal department for a definitive ruling.

This procedural step is intended to ensure that any final decision regarding the Senator's seat is grounded in a thorough legal assessment.

The outcome of this review carries substantial implications for the political landscape leading into the 2027 general elections, as it may set a precedent for other lawmakers considering similar party switches.

Should the legal department find the defection unconstitutional, Senator Abaribe could face the risk of losing his seat, potentially triggering a by-election in Abia South.

The Senate is expected to provide further updates once the legal department concludes its investigation and the Senator has responded to the opportunity for reconsideration.