Senator Victor Umeh (ADC-Anambra) and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC-Abia), on Tuesday, announced their defections from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to different political parties, citing leadership crises and internal disputes.
Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial district, defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Abaribe, who represents Abia South Senatorial District, defected to the Labour Party (LP).
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the defections in separate letters at plenary.
Umeh, in his letter, said the decision was reached after extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including his family, constituents, and political allies.
“I have taken this decision after wide consultations with my family, my constituents and supporters in view of the lingering divisions in the leadership and unending litigations in the African Democratic Congress,” Umeh said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to national development, noting that he would continue to serve through his new political party.
“I remain committed to making my contributions towards the development of our dear nation, but this time through the NDC.”
“Please, accept the assurances of my highest regards”.
Abaribe in his letter, said his resignation from the ADC, takes immediate effect.
“My decision to resign my membership of the African Democratic Congress is effective immediately. Accordingly, I have joined the Labour Party,” he said.
Abaribe said his defection was based on what he described as a deepening leadership crisis within the party.
“My decision is anchored on the now well-known leadership crisis within the ADC, occasioned by multiple legal issues besetting the party,” he said.
Akpabio made humour of the rising trend of defection among lawmakers while reacting to the new defections.
He said: ”Clerk, note that he has moved and now he has moved from ADC to Labour Party. If he brings another letter, I won’t announce it again,” he said, eliciting laughter among lawmakers.
Meanwhile, some members of the House of Representatives have defected to NDC.
They include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Adamu Wakili, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, Oluwaseyi Sowunmi, Peter Aniekwe, Mukhtar Zakari, George Oluwande, Munachim Umezuruike, Emeka Idu, Jesse Onuakalusi, Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Afam Ogene and Abdulhakeem Ado.
