Labour Party In Crisis As Senator Kingibe Defects To ADC Amid Political Tensions

Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has officially left the Labour Party (LP) to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, she described her defection as intentional and revealed it would be formally celebrated with “fanfare.”....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

I am fully and wholeheartedly committed to the ADC,” she declared. “But as the senator for the FCT, I’m not going to quietly switch parties during lunch break. I plan to do it loudly—with celebration and publicity.”

When asked about her confidence in the leadership of the ADC and the coalition it is forming, Kingibe explained that the party is still in its developmental phase. “It’s an evolving process,” she said. “You can’t judge a child’s running ability while he’s still crawling. Let’s give it time to grow.”

Addressing constitutional concerns over her eligibility to retain her Senate seat after the defection, Kingibe argued that the Labour Party is currently divided into two factions, providing a legal basis for her move.

“I encourage you to consult the constitution. The Labour Party is split into two clear factions,” she said. “This is precisely the condition under which the constitution permits defection without penalty.”

“Which of the two Labour Party factions am I expected to remain in? Even INEC received two sets of candidates and election results, though they didn’t validate either. So this isn’t up for debate.”

Kingibe emphasized that she adheres strictly to the law and wouldn’t have left the LP if the party had remained united. “If there weren’t two distinct factions, I would not have considered decamping because that would be unconstitutional,” she said. “But the split makes my move perfectly legal, and I’ve chosen the ADC.”

Kingibe was among the notable politicians present during the official launch of the ADC-led opposition coalition in Abuja on July 2.