Media Adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe ,has criticised the Senate led by Senator Godswill Akpabio for its response to the recent defection of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
Abaribe, who represents Abia South Senatorial District, was among eight senators who formally defected to the African Democratic Congress during plenary on Thursday.
Following the announcement, the Senate indicated it would examine the legality of Abaribe’s defection from the All Progressives Grand Alliance, citing concerns that the move could violate constitutional provisions.
While raising the matter during the session, Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin referenced Section 68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). The section stipulates that a legislator who leaves the political party under which they were elected must relinquish their seat, except where the defection results from a division within the party or a merger with another party.
Barau argued that there is no indication of an internal crisis within APGA that would justify Abaribe’s decision to defect.
In response, Ibe maintained that the Senate should be aware that Abaribe had already been suspended indefinitely from APGA by the party’s Abia State chapter on September 26, 2025, over alleged anti-party activities.
Ibe said, “All of a sudden Tinubu’s lapdog Senate is invoking sections of the Nigerian Constitution in querying Sen. Abaribe’s defection to the ADC.
“Where was the Sen. Akpabio-led Senate when the ruling party was coercing opposition lawmakers into the APC.
“It is a shame that they don’t know or pretend not to know that Sen. Enyinnaya Abaribe was indefinitely suspended from APGA by the Abia State chapter on September 26, 2025, for alleged anti-party activities.
“He was no longer a member of APGA having been suspended as at the time he identified with ADC.
“So, Akpabio and his lackeys should save their energies for making laws for the good of Nigerians and not just serving as Tinubu’s yes-men/yes-women.”
