The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday stirred reactions in the National Assembly after he declared, jokingly, that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was “dead,” following a fresh wave of defections by lawmakers.
Akpabio made the remark during plenary while presiding over proceedings in the Senate chamber. His comments came shortly after several senators formally announced their decision to leave the ADC for other political parties, including the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and the Labour Party.
The Senate President’s statement drew laughter and mixed reactions from lawmakers present, as the issue of frequent defections once again took centre stage in Nigeria’s political space.
“Maybe all those defecting from ADC should just compile everything in one paper and bring, so that we don’t keep announcing, announcing, announcing. Because I think ADC is dead,” Akpabio said in a light tone.
He went further to question the growing trend of lawmakers switching political parties multiple times within a short period.
“How many times can you defect in a month? Once. But some have done three times,” he added, drawing more laughter from colleagues.
Akpabio suggested that lawmakers should adopt a more organised method when changing parties. According to him, instead of making individual announcements on the floor each time, defecting members should submit a single, combined notice.
“So that it doesn’t look like a daily ritual. If you are defecting from Labour, you write all of you. If you are moving from ADC, you write all of you. If you are entering NDC, you write all of you,” he said.
The remarks came as the Senate formally recorded the defection of some of its members, including Victor Umeh, who announced his move from the ADC to the NDC.
In his resignation letter, Umeh pointed to internal problems within the ADC as the main reason for his decision. He described the party as being plagued by divisions and constant legal disputes.
“I remain committed to making my contributions towards the development of our dear nation, but this time through the NDC,” he wrote.
Akpabio also read out a defection letter from Enyinnaya Abaribe, highlighting his movement across different political parties over the years.
“Note that Senator Abaribe has moved from APGA to ADC, and now he has moved from ADC to Labour Party,” Akpabio said, again in a humorous tone.
The development in the Senate is part of a wider trend currently unfolding in the National Assembly. In the House of Representatives, no fewer than 16 lawmakers have also dumped the ADC for the NDC.
Those who defected in the Green Chamber include Yusuf Datti, Uchenna Okonkwo, Thaddeus Attah, George Ozodinobi, Lilian Orogbu, and several others.
The wave of defections has been linked largely to internal crises within the ADC. Observers say disputes over leadership, unresolved court cases, and lack of unity within the party have weakened its structure and pushed members to seek new political platforms.
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, many politicians are already repositioning themselves, aligning with parties they believe offer better chances of electoral success.
The Nigerian constitution allows lawmakers to defect from one party to another under certain conditions, particularly when there is division within their original party. This provision has often been used to justify mass defections.
However, critics argue that frequent party switching undermines democratic values and weakens political parties. They say it creates instability and confuses voters, who may struggle to keep track of where their representatives stand.
Supporters of the practice, on the other hand, say it reflects the right to freedom of association and allows politicians to pursue their goals in more stable or effective platforms.
The apparent decline of the ADC, as suggested by Akpabio’s remarks, raises questions about the future of smaller political parties in Nigeria. While major parties like the Labour Party and emerging platforms like the NDC appear to be gaining members, smaller parties are finding it harder to retain their base.
The situation also highlights the shifting nature of alliances in Nigerian politics, where loyalty to parties is often secondary to political survival and opportunity.
Despite the joking tone of Akpabio’s comments, the issue of defections remains serious. It affects the balance of power in the National Assembly and can influence lawmaking, oversight functions, and party strength.
For instance, as more lawmakers join a particular party, that party may gain greater influence in legislative decisions, committee leadership, and national policy direction.
For the ADC, the loss of key members could further weaken its position ahead of the next elections. Whether the party can recover or reorganise remains uncertain.
Meanwhile, Nigerians are watching closely as the political landscape continues to change. Many voters have expressed concern over what they see as a lack of ideological commitment among politicians.
As the country moves closer to 2027, the pace of defections is expected to increase, with more lawmakers and political figures likely to switch sides in search of better prospects.
For now, Akpabio’s remark that the ADC is “dead” may have been made in jest, but it reflects a growing reality in Nigeria’s politics — one where party loyalty is fluid and the battle for political relevance is constant.