Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday described the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as effectively “dead,” following a fresh wave of defections by lawmakers in the National Assembly.
His remark came during plenary after the Senate formally announced that several members had left the ADC for other political parties, including the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Labour Party (LP). Among those affected was Senator Victor Umeh, who recently defected to the NDC, citing internal crises and leadership disputes within the ADC as the primary reasons for his decision.
As the announcements of defections continued on the Senate floor, Akpabio interrupted proceedings with a blunt observation that drew reactions from his colleagues. He suggested that the frequency of defections had become excessive and should be handled more efficiently.
He proposed that lawmakers intending to switch parties should submit their notices collectively rather than individually, noting that repeated announcements were becoming disruptive. In a pointed remark, he added that the trend suggested the ADC had lost its relevance, describing the party as “dead.”
Akpabio also made light of the situation by questioning how often lawmakers could reasonably change political parties within a short period. He noted that while defection is typically expected to occur sparingly, some lawmakers had switched affiliations multiple times within a single month.
To streamline the process, he recommended that defectors group their notifications based on the parties they were leaving or joining. According to him, lawmakers moving from the same party or into the same political platform should present a single, consolidated submission during plenary.
During the session, Akpabio further referenced the political trajectory of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, highlighting his movement across multiple parties over time, including transitions from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the ADC and most recently to the Labour Party. His comments prompted reactions across the chamber, reflecting both amusement and concern over the trend.
The developments in the Senate mirror a broader pattern within the National Assembly, where shifting political loyalties have become increasingly common. In the House of Representatives, at least 16 members have also reportedly defected from the ADC to the NDC, underscoring the scale of the ongoing realignment.
Many of the lawmakers who have left the ADC have pointed to persistent internal divisions, leadership struggles, and unresolved disputes within the party as key factors influencing their decisions. These challenges appear to have weakened the party’s cohesion and contributed to the steady outflow of its members.
The wave of defections highlights the fluid nature of Nigeria’s political landscape as parties reposition and lawmakers seek more stable and strategic platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
