JUST IN: Abaribe, Umeh, Seven Senators Defect To ADC

No fewer than nine senators from different political parties on Thursday formally announced their defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a development that has further reshaped the political configuration of the Nigerian Senate.
The lawmakers who declared for the party include Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Binos Yaroe (Adamawa South), Victor Umeh (Anambra Central), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Lawal Usman (Kaduna Central), Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South), Austin Akobundu (Abia Central), and Ireti Kingibe (Federal Capital Territory).

Their letters of defection were read during plenary by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.
Umeh said his decision followed the crisis within the leadership of the Labour Party.
“I have taken this decision after wide consultations with my family, constituents, and supporters, in view of the lingering divisions in the leadership and unending litigations pervading the Labour Party in Nigeria,” Umeh said.

He added that he remained committed to contributing to the development of the country and ensuring a society where no citizen is oppressed.

Also speaking on his defection, Onawo said the move was driven by his commitment to democratic values and good governance.

“My defection is principally informed by my commitment to promoting the tenets of democracy, strengthening the ideals of a vibrant multi-party system, and joining hands with well-meaning Nigerians who are committed to advancing good governance, national unity, and sustainable development,” he said.
Usman, in his letter, said he resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after extensive consultations with his constituents and political supporters.

“I hereby formally resign my membership of the Peoples Democratic Party and have resolved to align with the African Democratic Congress in order to continue to effectively pursue the democratic aspirations and developmental interests of the people,” he stated.

Similarly, Nwoye attributed his decision to internal crises within the Labour Party.
“I wish to tender my resignation amid the ongoing multiple litigations within the Labour Party, which have significantly affected the cohesion and stability of the party,” his letter read.

Reacting after reading the letters, Akpabio welcomed the lawmakers to their new political platform but dismissed suggestions that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was responsible for the wave of defections.
“Deputy Senate President and Leader of the Senate, I hope you noticed that I have read defections from three different political parties now. So, you cannot accuse the ruling party of tampering with their leadership,” Akpabio said.
“Here, we have APGA, Labour, SDP, and others. So, all of them have a problem. They’ve not been able to put their parties together. The APC cannot be blamed for this.”
He added that the defecting lawmakers were seeking to strengthen minority representation in the chamber.
The latest defections highlight ongoing political realignments in the Senate, where lawmakers have repeatedly switched party allegiances amid internal disputes within several opposition parties.
With the new development, the composition of the Senate now stands as follows: All Progressives Congress (APC) — 85 seats; African Democratic Congress (ADC) — 9; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) — 8; New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) — 1; National Democratic Coalition (NDC) — 1; All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) — 1; and Social Democratic Party (SDP) — 1.
This brings the total number of serving senators to 106.
Three seats remain vacant following the deaths of Barinada Mpigi, who represented Rivers South-East; Godiya Akwashiki, former senator for Nasarawa North; and Okey Ezea, who represented Enugu North.