Senators Victor Umeh (ADC-Anambra) and Enyinnaya Abaribe (ADC-Abia) have announced their defections from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to new political parties, citing internal leadership crises and ongoing disputes within the party.
Umeh, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Abaribe, representing Abia South Senatorial District, has moved to the Labour Party (LP).
The defections were formally announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during Tuesday’s plenary session, following the submission of separate letters from both senators.
In his letter, Umeh stated that his decision followed extensive consultations with his family, constituents, and political allies. He explained that the lingering divisions in ADC’s leadership and the ongoing legal disputes within the party prompted his departure. “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 wrote. He also reaffirmed his commitment to national development, emphasizing that he would continue to serve through his new party, the NDC.
Abaribe’s defection was also confirmed in his letter, in which he stated that his resignation from ADC was effective immediately. “My decision to resign my membership of the African Democratic Congress is effective immediately; accordingly, I have joined the Labour Party,” Abaribe said. He attributed his decision to a deepening leadership crisis within the party, exacerbated by multiple legal challenges. “My decision is anchored on the now well-known leadership crisis within the ADC, occasioned by multiple legal issues besetting the party,” he explained.
Reacting to the defections, Senate President Akpabio humorously acknowledged the rising trend of defections among lawmakers. “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,” Akpabio joked, prompting laughter among fellow lawmakers.
