APGA Urges Senate to Declare Abaribe’s Seat Vacant Amid Party Defection Dispute

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has called on the Nigerian Senate to declare the seat of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe vacant, citing alleged violations related to party affiliation.

In a statement released by the party leadership, APGA argued that Abaribe, who represents Abia South Senatorial District, no longer has the legal standing to retain his seat in the National Assembly. The party maintained that the law is clear on the status of elected lawmakers who defect or whose political alignment conflicts with the platform under which they were elected.

Abaribe was elected to the Senate under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but APGA insists that recent political developments surrounding the lawmaker justify the declaration of his seat as vacant.

According to APGA, allowing such situations to persist undermines democratic principles and weakens party discipline. The party urged the Senate leadership to act swiftly in accordance with constitutional provisions to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system.

“Political mandates belong to parties, not individuals,” the statement read. “Any deviation from this principle must be addressed in line with the law to avoid setting dangerous precedents.”

However, political observers note that issues surrounding defection and seat vacancy in Nigeria’s legislature are often complex and subject to constitutional interpretation. The Nigerian Constitution provides conditions under which a lawmaker may lose their seat, particularly in cases of defection without a division or crisis within their original party.

Reacting to the development, supporters of Senator Abaribe have dismissed the call as politically motivated, arguing that there is no constitutional basis for declaring his seat vacant. They insist that the senator remains a legitimate representative of his constituency.

Legal analysts also suggest that any attempt to remove Abaribe from office could lead to a protracted legal battle, as courts have historically played a decisive role in interpreting defection-related disputes in Nigeria.

The Senate has yet to issue an official response to APGA’s demand, but the development adds another layer to the ongoing debate over party loyalty, constitutional provisions, and legislative stability in Nigeria.

As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are closely watching how the Senate leadership will navigate the issue, given its potential implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.