Declare Abaribe’s seat vacant, APGA tells Senate
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to declare Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s seat vacant, following his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Rising
- From Nwanosike Onu and Sanni Onogu
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has urged the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, to declare Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s seat vacant, following his defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Rising from its meeting in Awka, capital of Anambra State, the National Working Committee (NWC) said in a communique that there was no justification for the defection because the national leadership was not assailed by crisis.
Abaribe, who represents Abia South District in the Senate, defected to ADC last month.
His attempt to claim that the defection was due to division in his party was rejected by the Senate President.
He also indicated that he was leaving the party because he was expelled.
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Senate President Godswill Akpabio requested him to produce, at next plenary, a letter of expulsion. But he has not done that.
Senate Spokesman Yemi Adaramodu, who noted the call for declaring the seat vacant, said no action can be taken now because the Senate is on recess.
The APGA-NWC said in the unsigned communique that the Senate under the leadership of Akpabio has stood firm for democracy and constitutional order, adding that the unlawful defection should not be overlooked
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The party commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for assenting to the Electoral Act, 2026 Bill, which was passed by the National Assembly.
The communique reads: “The NWC calls on the Senate leadership to invoke relevant provisions of the Constitution and declare his seat vacant, in light of his betrayal of the mandate entrusted to him by the people of Abia South Senatorial District.
“The NWC further notes and commends the innovative introductions in the new Electoral Act, particularly on the mode of primary elections by political parties and the digitization of membership database of political parties.
“APGA firmly believes that such innovative provisions align with global best practices and further strengthens internal party democracy.
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“NWC however urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that its revised timetable for 2027 general elections aligns with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.”
APGA-NWC urged members, intending members, and other progressives to take advantage of the window of opportunity provided by the on-going registration and electronic revalidation.
It added: “NWC urges Governor Soludo to continue to devote his strength towards fulfilling his campaign promises to Ndi Anambra in a bid to realizing his ambition of making Anambra a livable and prosperous smart mega city.”
Why seat can’t be declared vacant, by Adaramodu
Adaramodu said the request for declaration of vacancy can only be considered after the resumption from recess.
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He confirmed that the Red Chamber got wind of the call by APGA-NWC in the media, stressing that no action can be taken while lawmakers are on break.
Adaramodu said: “We are already on recess. Any letter written to us during this period will have to wait until we resume.”
He also clarified that the letter of request was addressed personally to the Senate President and not the entire Senate, adding that due legislative process should be followed.
Adaramodu added: “It is not a personal letter to the Senate President; it is a call to the whole Senate. Since we are on break, any correspondence will be treated when we reconvene and it will be presented accordingly on the floor.”
He insisted that constitutional provisions and Senate rules guiding such matters can only be invoked during plenary sessions.
Adaramodu said: “There is no way we can invoke the relevant sections when we are not in plenary. It is only when we resume that we can consider such correspondence, if any.”
