By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Sokoto
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) is gaining momentum ahead of the next general elections as more prominent politicians abandon their former parties to join the growing opposition platform.
At Thursday’s Senate plenary, nine senators from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) formally announced their defection to the ADC. Their letters were read on the floor by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The lawmakers cited persistent internal crises, leadership disputes and the need to strengthen democracy as reasons for leaving their former parties.
Those who defected include former Sokoto State governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal (Sokoto South), Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), Binos Dauda Yar’Adua (Adamawa South), Tony Nwoye (Anambra North), Lawal Adamu Usman (Kaduna Central), Mohammed Ogoshi Onawo (Nasarawa South) and Augustine Akobundu (Abia Central).
However, Abaribe’s defection triggered controversy on the Senate floor after lawmakers observed that APGA, the party he left, has no recognised national division — a constitutional requirement that allows legislators to defect without losing their seats.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) argued that in the absence of a factional crisis within APGA, Abaribe should either reconsider his decision or risk having his seat declared vacant.
Responding, Abaribe said he had been under suspension by APGA since last year, a situation he said prompted his move to the ADC. But Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele countered that suspension does not constitute a constitutional basis for defection.
Following the heated exchanges, Senate President Akpabio asked Abaribe to reconsider his decision and report back to the chamber at the next legislative sitting.
With the latest defections, the ADC now holds nine seats in the Senate, emerging as the leading opposition party ahead of the PDP, which has dropped to seven members. The ruling APC retains 87 seats, while APGA, NDC and NNPP have one senator each, with three seats currently vacant.
Meanwhile, Tambuwal urged Nigerians not to panic over the growing wave of defections across the political landscape, stressing that electoral victory ultimately lies with the electorate and not with sitting governors.
Speaking in Sokoto during the launch of Ramadan support distribution to members of his political movement, Tambuwal said his decision to leave the PDP followed extensive consultations with more than 1,900 stakeholders.
He explained that the group considered three options — remaining in the crisis-ridden PDP, joining the ruling APC, or moving to the ADC — before unanimously settling for the ADC as the best path forward.
Tambuwal also urged supporters to register with the party and prepare for the next electoral cycle, insisting that democracy ultimately rests in the hands of the people.
“It is not about being a governor that guarantees victory in an election,” he said, citing several outcomes from the 2023 polls to illustrate that voters, not incumbents, determine the final result.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to revalidate their voter cards and prepare to participate actively in future elections.
Notable Politicians Boost ADC As Tambuwal, Abaribe, Kingibe, Others Dump Former Parties
