Tension erupted in the Senate on Thursday after lawmakers warned that Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe could lose his seat if he proceeds with his decision to leave the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA)
Abaribe, who represents Abia South Senatorial District and is known as one of the outspoken opposition voices in the chamber, announced his resignation from APGA in a letter that was read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
In the letter, the senator explained that he was leaving the party because of what he described as an irreconcilable leadership crisis within APGA. He also disclosed that he had decided to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party some opposition figures have adopted as a platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
His announcement quickly drew objections from several senators, including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, who questioned the justification for the defection.
Jibrin argued that APGA does not currently have any leadership division that would justify a lawmaker abandoning the party. He cited Section 68(1)(g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which states that a member of the National Assembly who defects from the party that sponsored his election must vacate the seat unless the party is facing a clear internal split.
He also referred to Order 20(j) of the Senate Standing Orders, which empowers the Senate President to interpret the chamber’s rules and deliver a final ruling on such matters. Jibrin therefore urged Akpabio to apply the constitutional provisions in deciding the issue.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole of Edo North also weighed in, saying political leaders should work to resolve disputes within their parties rather than walk away during internal crises.
Bamidele supported the position, adding that Abaribe’s move could also conflict with Section 65 of the Constitution, which requires every member of the National Assembly to belong to a political party as a condition for holding office.
He suggested that Abaribe should be allowed to withdraw his resignation letter to enable the Senate leadership study the situation. Otherwise, he said the Senate should take action in line with constitutional provisions.
Responding to the concerns, Abaribe maintained that his resignation should stand, explaining that he had already been expelled from APGA in September 2025.
He urged the Senate leadership to acknowledge that he was no longer a member of the party.
After listening to the arguments, Akpabio directed Abaribe to present a copy of the alleged expulsion letter from APGA within one week to support his claim.
Despite this directive, Jibrin and Bamidele insisted that the Senate President should immediately apply the Constitution and declare the Abia South seat vacant.
However, Akpabio ruled that Abaribe would be given time to reconsider his decision before the Senate takes a final stance.
“We’ll give you until our next sitting to reconsider or the chamber will take a position,” Akpabio said.
It remains unclear whether Abaribe had already completed his registration as a member of the ADC before submitting his resignation letter.
Abaribe has been a member of the Senate since 2007 and has won several re-election bids, making him one of the longest-serving lawmakers currently in the chamber.
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