The Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and joined the Labour Party (LP).
NewsWatch Nigeria reports that Abaribe announced his defection in a statement issued on Monday, citing ongoing legal uncertainties surrounding the ADC as the reason for his decision.
“Given the uncertainties concerning the ADC with regard to multiple lawsuits and court judgments, I have today resigned from the party and joined the Labour Party effectively immediately,” he said.
The lawmaker clarified that his resignation was not due to any disagreement with the party’s leadership or members.
“This has nothing to do with the leadership and members, whom I have enjoyed and will continue to enjoy a close and solid relationship,” he added.
Abaribe noted that leadership often requires difficult decisions, particularly in uncertain situations, and expressed gratitude to members of the ADC for their support during his time in the party.
He, however, did not provide further details on his next political steps within the Labour Party.
Abaribe, a former Minority Leader, announced his defection to the Labour Party (LP) with immediate effect, barely weeks after joining the ADC in a move that originally sent shockwaves through the Red Chamber.
Abaribe was among a high-profile group of lawmakers who dumped their original platforms for the ADC in an attempt to build a formidable opposition coalition. However, his stay was marred by intense controversy on the floor of the Senate.
Following his initial exit from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), rival lawmakers had petitioned the Senate leadership to declare his seat vacant.
They argued that the defection was unconstitutional, maintaining there was no “factionalisation” or crisis within APGA to justify his movement under the Nigerian Constitution.
