Abaribe’s political future sparks fresh speculation amid defection rumours
Fresh speculation swirled around the political future of the lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, yesterday, following unverified reports that he may have left the African Democratic Congress
Fresh speculation swirled around the political future of the lawmaker representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, yesterday, following unverified reports that he may have left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Labour Party (LP).
However, checks by our correspondent showed that there is no official confirmation from the senator, his aides, or any recognised party structure to support the claim as of press time.
The rumour, which gained traction on social media, suggested that Abaribe defected at his ward in the Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State yesterday. However, no credible evidence, including statements from party officials or documentation of the alleged move, could be independently verified.
The development comes barely weeks after Abaribe’s earlier defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the ADC stirred constitutional controversy in the Senate.
During the plenary in March, the upper chamber raised concerns about the legality of his move, noting that the Nigerian Constitution requires lawmakers to remain in the party under which they were elected, except in cases of division within the party.
The Senate had subsequently indicated it would review the circumstances surrounding his defection, amid arguments that there was no clear crisis within APGA to justify the switch.
Political observers say any fresh defection, if confirmed, could further complicate Abaribe’s standing in the National Assembly, especially in the light of constitutional provisions governing party switching by legislators.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the ADC nor the LP had issued any statement confirming or denying the alleged move.
