Senate threatens to declare Abaribe’s seat vacant over ADC defection, gives him time to reconsider

The Nigerian Senate on Thursday signaled that Enyinnaya Abaribe, senator representing Abia South, could lose his seat if he does not reconsider his decision to resign from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Abaribe, a prominent opposition voice in the Senate, announced his resignation from APGA in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary. He cited an irreconcilable leadership crisis within the party as the reason for joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a platform embraced by several opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, the move drew immediate objections from some senators. Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin argued that there was no division within APGA, stressing that Section 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution requires a lawmaker who defects from the party that sponsored their election to vacate their seat—unless there is an internal party division. He also referenced Order 20(j) of the Senate Standing Orders, which empowers the Senate President to interpret rules and take final decisions.

Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, added that party disputes should be resolved internally rather than abandoning the party. Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also raised concerns that Abaribe may have violated Section 65 of the Constitution, which mandates that National Assembly members belong to a political party. Bamidele urged the Senate President to allow Abaribe to withdraw his resignation, otherwise the chamber must act according to constitutional provisions.

Abaribe defended his decision, stating that he had already been expelled from APGA in September 2025 and was no longer a party member. Following the exchange, Akpabio directed him to submit a copy of his expulsion letter within a week for the Senate’s consideration.

Despite this, Jibrin and Bamidele pressed for an immediate ruling, insisting that the seat be declared vacant. Akpabio ruled that Abaribe would be given time to reconsider his resignation before the Senate takes a constitutional position. “We’ll give you until our next sitting to reconsider, or the chamber will take a position,” he said.

It remains unclear whether Abaribe had formally registered with ADC before submitting his resignation.

Abaribe, first elected to the Senate in 2007, has been re-elected multiple times, making him one of the chamber’s most experienced lawmakers. Before his tenure in the Senate, he served as deputy governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2003 under Orji Kalu, now also a senator, leaving office following a political dispute that led to his impeachment.

Over the years, Abaribe has been a vocal opposition politician, frequently speaking on governance, democracy, and the rights of the South-east. He gained national attention in 2017 when he stood as surety for the Indigenous People of Biafra leader Nnamdi Kanu during a treason trial, later withdrawing when Kanu disappeared from Nigeria.