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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

ADC is Dead, Declares Senate President Akpabio Amidst Mass Defections

From The Punch · (1h ago) English Mixed tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The Senate President of Nigeria, Godswill Akpabio, declared the African Democratic Congress (ADC) effectively defunct following a significant wave of defections.
  • Numerous lawmakers have switched parties, citing internal crises and litigation within the ADC as reasons for their departure.
  • Akpabio humorously suggested a more streamlined process for announcing defections, given their frequency.

In a moment of political commentary that drew laughter and attention, Nigeria's Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, declared the African Democratic Congress (ADC) effectively 'dead' amidst a flurry of defections. The Senate plenary witnessed the formal announcement of several lawmakers leaving the ADC, with many citing internal party strife and persistent legal battles as the primary drivers for their departure.

Maybe all those defecting from ADC should just compile everything in one paper and bring, so that we don’t keep announcing, announcing, announcing. Because I think ADC is dead.

— Godswill AkpabioSenate President Akpabio's remark on the wave of defections from the African Democratic Congress.

Akpabio's remarks, made while presiding over the session, highlighted the dramatic exodus from the ADC. He lightheartedly suggested that defecting members should consolidate their announcements, implying that the sheer volume of individual departures was becoming a daily ritual. His comments underscored the instability within the ADC and the shifting political landscape in the National Assembly.

How many times can you defect in a month? Once. But some have done three times.

— Godswill AkpabioSenate President Akpabio's humorous observation on the frequency of political defections by lawmakers.

The defections are part of a broader political realignment occurring across Nigeria's legislative bodies. Notably, the Senate saw Senator Victor Umeh announce his move to the National Democratic Congress (NDC), explicitly referencing "lingering divisions in the leadership and unending litigation" within the ADC. Similarly, the House of Representatives has seen at least 17 members defect from the ADC to the NDC, including prominent figures like Yusuf Datti and George Ozodinobi.

I remain committed to making my contributions towards the development of our dear nation, but this time through the NDC.

— Victor UmehSenator Umeh's statement explaining his decision to defect from the ADC to the National Democratic Congress.

This situation reflects a common trend in Nigerian politics where party loyalty can be fluid, often influenced by internal party dynamics and the pursuit of political opportunities. While Akpabio's pronouncements were made in a lighter tone, they speak to the significant challenges facing political parties attempting to maintain cohesion and stability. The frequent defections raise questions about the ideological underpinnings of these parties and the factors that truly drive political allegiance in Nigeria, a dynamic often viewed with a mix of amusement and concern by observers both domestically and internationally.

Note that Senator Abaribe has moved from APGA to ADC, and now he has moved from ADC to Labour Party.

— Godswill AkpabioSenate President Akpabio's announcement regarding Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe's multiple party switches.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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