*As nine senators dump parties for ADC amid deepening opposition crisis
WorldStage– Nigeria’s Senate on Thursday issued Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South) a one-week ultimatum to prove his claim that he was expelled from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), following his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The directive, given by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during a dramatic plenary session, came after lawmakers raised constitutional objections to Abaribe’s defection, arguing that the move could cost him his seat in the National Assembly.
The development unfolded amid a wave of defections that saw nine senators abandon their political parties for the ADC, a shift that has now elevated the party to the status of the main opposition in the Senate.
However, Abaribe’s defection quickly became the focal point of the session after senators invoked provisions of the 1999 Constitution governing political defections by lawmakers.
Akpabio ruled that Abaribe must present documentary evidence within one week to support his claim that APGA expelled him from the party in September 2025.
“If such evidence is not provided, the Senate will take further action in line with the Constitution,” the Senate President said.
The ultimatum followed a spirited debate on the Senate floor over the legality of the Abia lawmaker’s decision to switch parties.
The drama began shortly after Akpabio read letters from nine senators announcing their defection to the ADC during plenary.
Those who dumped their parties for the ADC include former Sokoto State governor and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto South); Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central); Senator Tony Nwoye (Anambra North); Senator Lawal Adamu Usman (Kaduna Central); Senator Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South); Senator Augustine Akobundu (Abia Central); Senator Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory); and Senator Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South).
The defections came on the heels of the earlier move by Senator Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a party he founded.
Most of the defecting lawmakers attributed their decisions to deepening internal crises, leadership disputes and protracted litigations within their former parties.
Tambuwal, in his resignation letter from the PDP, lamented what he described as persistent divisions that had weakened the party’s cohesion.
“The persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements, litigations and divisions within the party at various levels have made it increasingly difficult for me to continue my active participation and commitment as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party,” he wrote.
Similarly, Senator Ireti Kingibe blamed her exit from the Labour Party on what she described as a prolonged and seemingly irreconcilable leadership crisis within the party.
But while other senators cited internal divisions within their parties as justification for their defections, Abaribe did not make such a claim regarding APGA.
The omission quickly triggered concerns among senators who pointed to Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which states that a member of the National Assembly must vacate his seat if he defects from the political party that sponsored his election, unless the party is divided into factions.
Acting on Akpabio’s directive, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin (Kano North) examined the letters of defection and raised an objection.
According to him, there was no evidence that APGA was experiencing any division at the national level that would justify Abaribe’s move.
“Having examined the letters of defection, it is clear that APGA, the party from which Senator Abaribe defected, is not engulfed in any crisis or division at the national level,” Barau said.
“Abaribe’s defection, as stated in Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, appears to be against the provisions of the law and warrants appropriate action regarding the Abia South senatorial seat.”
The intervention sparked murmurs across the chamber and briefly halted proceedings as senators debated the constitutional implications.
In his response, Abaribe defended his decision, insisting that he was expelled from APGA months earlier and therefore had no option but to join another party.
“I am not a lawyer. This section of the Constitution does not address a situation where a person is sacked from his party,” he told the Senate.
“I was sacked from APGA in September 2025 and I have the letter here.”
However, Akpabio noted that the Senate had not received any official communication confirming the alleged expulsion.
“You have confirmed that you are not leaving because of division but because you claim you were sacked.
“The Senate is not aware of that and we do not have any documentary evidence before us,” the Senate President said.
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central), also argued that if Abaribe was truly expelled from his party, such a development could still raise constitutional questions regarding his continued membership of the Senate.
He explained that while Section 65 of the Constitution outlines the qualifications for election into the National Assembly, Section 68 specifies the circumstances under which a legislator must vacate his or her seat.
Following consultations with the Senate leadership, Akpabio ruled that Abaribe should be given one week to present documentary proof of his expulsion from APGA.
The Senate will thereafter determine whether the constitutional provisions on defection apply in his case.
ADC overtakes PDP to emerge main opposition in Senate
Meanwhile, the mass defections have significantly altered the configuration of opposition parties in the Senate.
With nine senators now in its fold, the ADC has overtaken the PDP, which has been reduced to seven senators, to become the largest opposition party in the chamber.
Ruling party, APC still in firm control
Despite the realignment within the minority bloc, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to maintain overwhelming control of the Senate with 87 out of the 109 seats.
Three senatorial seats—Nasarawa North, Enugu North and Rivers South East—remain vacant following the deaths of the senators who previously occupied them.
Political observers say the defections reflect growing dissatisfaction within opposition parties and could signal a broader political realignment ahead of future elections.
For now, however, the immediate focus remains on Abaribe, whose political fate in the Senate may be decided when the chamber reconvenes to consider the evidence he has been asked to present.
