THIS DAWN — On December 31, 2025, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing the Abia South Senatorial District in the Nigerian National Assembly, officially resigned from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and declared his membership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This political shift comes amidst escalating tensions between Abaribe and APGA leadership, which culminated in formal defection after prolonged dispute over his alleged affiliation with the ADC and perceived anti-party activities.
Senator Abaribe’s decision marks a significant development in the political landscape of Abia State and the broader South East region. Abaribe has long been a central figure in Nigerian politics, known for his outspoken positions and legislative influence. Originally elected to the Senate under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), he defected to APGA in 2023 to pursue his fifth term in the Senate, a move that was seen as reaffirmation of his commitment to advancing regional interests outside the major national parties.
The dispute leading up to the resignation was rooted in allegations from the APGA Abia State chapter that Senator Abaribe was fraternizing with, and effectively promoting, the ADC — a rival party that has been gaining traction in the South East. In the months leading to his resignation, APGA had repeatedly demanded clarity from Abaribe regarding his alleged ADC ties. In September, the party issued a 24-hour ultimatum for him to either deny or confirm the allegations publicly, warning that failure to do so would attract disciplinary action under party rules prohibiting dual party membership.
APGA’s ultimatum and disciplinary posture reflected deepening internal rifts. At one point, APGA suspended Abaribe for purported anti-party activities — a move that highlighted the deteriorating relationship between the Senator and his party’s state leadership. The party accused him of abandoning its platform and aligning with the ADC, a claim that Abaribe and his aides initially dismissed as unsubstantiated rumors and political maneuvering.
Despite the internal contestations, Abaribe’s resignation formalizes his departure from APGA and signals his political realignment with the ADC. However, this new affiliation has not been without controversy. Prior to his declaration, the state chapter of the ADC itself publicly stated that Abaribe was not officially a member of their party and warned him against interfering in its internal affairs. The ADC leadership alleged that he was convening unauthorized meetings and sponsoring parallel party structures, actions they described as detrimental to the party’s integrity.
The conflicting narratives reflect deeper dynamics in Abia State politics, where party allegiances are often fluid and strategically recalibrated in the run-up to election cycles. Abaribe’s choice to join the ADC positions him within a party seeking to consolidate influence in the South East, especially as Nigeria moves toward the 2027 general elections. For ADC, attracting a high-profile senator such as Abaribe could enhance its visibility and competitiveness against larger parties like the APC and PDP, albeit the ADC’s own leadership has sought to distance itself from unsanctioned associations prior to formal membership confirmation.
From APGA’s perspective, Abaribe’s departure compounds organizational challenges. Having once been a party of significant influence in the region, APGA has in recent years struggled with internal leadership disputes and defections. In parts of Abia State, reports indicate that APGA structures had, even before Abaribe’s formal defection, begun collapsing into the ADC, with local executives and thousands of members switching allegiance. Critics within APGA argue this indicates poor internal cohesion and declining electoral prospects for the party in subsequent elections.
Senator Abaribe’s political trajectory underscores how individual ambitions intersect with broader realignments in Nigerian party politics. His influence as a long-serving Senator — first within PDP and then within APGA — has been predicated on a reputation for regional advocacy and legislative activism. His move to ADC suggests a strategic recalibration intended to maximize political leverage ahead of 2027, in a context where regional political currents are shifting and smaller parties are seeking to assert themselves amid a crowded national field.
In conclusion, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe’s resignation from APGA and declaration of membership of the ADC constitute a noteworthy political development in Nigeria’s evolving multi-party landscape. The transition reflects ongoing tensions within APGA, competitive party dynamics in Abia State, and strategic positioning ahead of upcoming national elections. As events unfold, Abaribe’s role within the ADC — and the ADC’s response to his integration — will be significant indicators of how political alignments continue to shift in the South East and across Nigeria’s broader political arena.
