ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has declared that the seat of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, must be declared vacant if he is no longer a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the party on whose platform he was elected to the upper chamber .
Bamidele’s statement follows days of controversy over Abaribe’s defection from APGA to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move that has sparked heated debate on the floor of the Senate and across the Nigerian political landscape .
Speaking on the matter, Bamidele cited Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that a lawmaker must vacate their seat if they defect from the party that sponsored their election, except in cases where there is a division in the party .
“The constitution is clear on this. If Senator Abaribe is no longer a member of APGA, his seat should be declared vacant. The only exception is if there is a proven crisis or division within APGA that warrants such a move. Otherwise, we must respect the will of the people who voted for him under that platform,” Bamidele stated .
The Senate Leader’s position aligns with that of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who had earlier threatened to refer the matter to the Committee on Ethics and Privileges for investigation . Akpabio had ruled that Abaribe must present proof of the APGA leadership crisis to justify his defection .
Abaribe, however, has maintained that his defection is protected by law, arguing that APGA has been engulfed in a protracted leadership crisis, which qualifies as an exception under the constitution . The former Deputy Governor of Abia State has insisted that his move to the ADC is legal and in order .
The Senate has referred the matter to its Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which is expected to investigate and report back within four weeks .
Political analysts note that the outcome of the committee’s investigation could set a significant precedent for how defections by lawmakers are treated in Nigeria’s legislature, particularly as the 2027 general elections approach .
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