The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has intensified pressure on Senate leadership, urging Senate President Godswill Akpabio to declare the seat of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe vacant following his recent defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The call was made in a communiqué issued after a National Working Committee (NWC) meeting held in Awka, where the party insisted that Abaribe’s move lacked constitutional justification. According to APGA, there is no crisis within the party at the national level that would warrant such a defection.
Abaribe, who represents Abia South Senatorial District, had last month dumped APGA for ADC, citing internal divisions and alleging expulsion from the party. However, his claims have been dismissed by the Senate leadership.
Akpabio had earlier asked the senator to present evidence of his alleged expulsion during plenary, a request that remains unmet.
In its statement, APGA commended the Senate under Akpabio’s leadership for upholding democratic values and constitutional order, warning that Abaribe’s defection should not be overlooked. The party called for the invocation of constitutional provisions to declare his seat vacant, describing his action as a betrayal of the electorate’s mandate.
“The NWC calls on the Senate leadership to act in line with the Constitution and declare the seat vacant,” the communiqué stated, stressing the need to preserve democratic integrity.
The party also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assenting to the Electoral Act 2026, highlighting provisions such as improved primary election processes and digital membership systems as steps toward strengthening internal party democracy.
APGA further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to align its timetable for the 2027 general elections with the new law.
Meanwhile, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu clarified why no immediate action has been taken on the matter. He explained that the Senate is currently on recess, making it impossible to deliberate on the request.
“We are already on recess. Any communication received now will be considered upon resumption,” Adaramodu said, noting that due legislative procedures must be followed.
He added that the request was not formally before the full Senate and emphasized that constitutional provisions regarding such matters can only be activated during plenary sessions.
“There is no way to invoke relevant sections of the Constitution outside plenary,” he stated.
APGA also used the opportunity to encourage party members and prospective members to take advantage of its ongoing registration and electronic revalidation exercise, while urging Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, to sustain efforts toward building a prosperous and modern state.