Senator Ireti Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory in the National Assembly, has officially resigned from the Labour Party and announced her defection to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, Kingibe described her decision as a deliberate and strategic political move. She disclosed that her formal induction into the ADC would be celebrated with significant fanfare.
“I am totally and completely committed to the ADC,” she said. “But obviously, as the senator representing the FCT, I can’t just take a lunch break and collect a party card. I want to do it with noise and fanfare.”
Kingibe expressed confidence in her new party’s leadership, acknowledging that while the ADC is still developing, she sees strong potential in its growth.
“It’s an evolving process,” she explained. “You don’t judge a child’s ability to run while they’re still crawling. We’re growing, and I believe in that growth.”
When asked about the risk of losing her Senate seat due to the defection, Kingibe cited constitutional grounds to justify her move. She pointed to the existence of two clear factions within the Labour Party as a legitimate basis for decamping without penalty.
“I urge everyone to read the constitution. There are clearly two factions within the Labour Party. The constitutional definition for a valid defection without penalty applies here,” she asserted.
She further argued that even the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had received conflicting submissions from the Labour Party during previous elections, reinforcing her point.
“INEC received two sets of results and candidates from the Labour Party — although they didn’t accept either. So, if I’m asked to remain in the party, which faction should I align with?”
Kingibe emphasized that her decision to join the ADC was not only lawful but also in alignment with democratic principles and constitutional integrity.
“If there weren’t two distinct factions within the Labour Party, I wouldn’t consider defecting, as that would be unconstitutional. But there are, and that meets the constitutional criteria for a lawful defection. I chose the ADC because it aligns with my values and vision,” she concluded.
