Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday joked that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) had effectively become “dead” following a fresh wave of defections that saw lawmakers moving to other political parties.
The remarks came during plenary after the Senate formally announced multiple defections, including that of Senator Victor Umeh, who left the ADC for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), citing internal crises and “unending litigation” within the party.
Akpabio, while presiding over proceedings, said lawmakers should streamline the process of announcing defections rather than doing so individually on the floor of the chamber.
“Maybe all those defecting from ADC should just compile everything in one paper and bring it, so that we don’t keep announcing, announcing, announcing. Because I think ADC is dead,” he said, sparking reactions in the chamber.
He further joked about the frequency of political party switches among legislators.
“How many times can you defect in a month? Once. But some have done three times,” he added, drawing laughter from senators.
The Senate President also suggested that defections should be formally grouped by party to avoid repetitive announcements during plenary sessions.
During the sitting, Akpabio read out a defection letter from Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, noting his movement across multiple parties over time.
He observed that Abaribe had moved from APGA to ADC and now to the Labour Party, adding humorously that future defections might no longer be announced individually.
The comments come amid a broader political realignment in the National Assembly, where at least 16 members of the House of Representatives have reportedly defected from the ADC to the NDC.
Among those affected are lawmakers such as Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, and Lilian Orogbu.
In his resignation letter, Senator Umeh cited deep divisions within the ADC leadership and ongoing litigation, describing the situation as untenable for continued membership.
“I remain committed to making my contributions towards the development of our dear nation, but this time through the NDC,” he stated.
The latest defections highlight ongoing political fluidity in Nigeria’s legislature, where shifting alliances continue to reshape party strength and representation.
