The Senator representing Abia South Senatorial District, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has firmly ruled out any possibility of defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite the recent wave of high-profile defections from opposition parties.
Abaribe made his position clear on Monday while appearing on Politics Today, a political programme aired on Channels Television. His remarks came amid increasing speculation triggered by the defection of several governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, a development that has continued to reshape Nigeria’s political landscape.
In recent weeks, governors from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Enugu, Delta, Rivers and Taraba states have all exited the PDP for the ruling party. The trend has raised questions about the future of opposition politics and the balance of power ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reacting to the situation, Abaribe maintained that he has no intention of joining the APC, regardless of political pressure or changing alliances. He emphasized that his commitment to his party and political beliefs remains unwavering.
“If there is anyone who would ever consider defecting to the APC, I should be the very last person,” the senator said. “By the time I do that, it would mean that political parties no longer exist in Nigeria, including the APC itself.”
Beyond his personal stance, Abaribe expressed concern over the circumstances surrounding the governors’ defections. He questioned the sudden shift by leaders who, during the 2023 general elections, openly opposed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and campaigned against his emergence.
The lawmaker noted that the rapid acceptance of these governors into the ruling party, along with the apparent handover of party structures to them, raises important questions about ideological consistency and political accountability.
According to Abaribe, Nigerians must critically examine what is happening in the affected states and the broader implications for democratic competition. He suggested that the pattern of defections reflects deeper issues within the country’s political system, rather than genuine alignment with policy or ideology.
The senator concluded by reiterating his belief in a vibrant opposition as essential to democracy, stressing that political loyalty should be driven by principles and service to the people, not convenience or access to power.
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