Two senators ditched the African Democratic Congress on Tuesday. Senator Victor Umeh and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe announced their departures in letters read before the full Senate.
Umeh, who represents Anambra Central, is joining the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Abaribe, representing Abia South, has moved to the Labour Party instead.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced both defections during plenary proceedings. He read the resignation letters from each senator to the chamber.
In his statement, Umeh blamed long-running conflicts within ADC leadership. He said he consulted widely with family, constituents, and political supporters before making the switch.
"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 noted in the letter.
He promised to remain dedicated to national progress through his new party. According to him, he'll continue serving Nigeria via the NDC platform.
"I remain committed to making my contributions towards the development of our dear nation, but this time through the NDC," the senator added.
Abaribe cited similar grievances in his own departure letter. A deepening leadership crisis prompted his immediate resignation, he explained.
"My decision to resign my membership of the African Democratic Congress is effective immediately, accordingly, I have joined the Labour Party," Abaribe said in the communication.
He linked his defection directly to what he called mounting legal troubles. "My decision is anchored on the now well-known leadership crisis within the ADC, occasioned by multiple legal issues besetting the party," he noted.
Akpabio made light of the growing wave of party-switching 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," the president remarked, drawing laughter from colleagues.
